Africa-Press – Gambia. Hamat NK Bah, Minister of Local Government, Lands, and Religious Affairs and former Tourism Minister, testified Tuesday before a National Assembly special select committee investigating the sale and disposal of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.
During his testimony, Bah alleged that the committee’s line of questioning appeared designed to discredit specific individuals, including former Justice Minister Ba Tambedou, Tambedou’s wife Binta Sompo Ceesay, and Alpha Barry, the appointed receiver of the assets.
“When I came during my interview, what I saw, the chain of questioning, I believe that there was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of Ba Tambedou, Binta Ceesay, Alpha Barry,” Bah said.
Lead Counsel Lamin Dibba challenged Bah’s assertion, stating that it did not reflect the facts. Nevertheless, Bah maintained that the focus on the three individuals was troubling. “Because the entire questions were leading to these three people, and I find it disturbing for that to happen, and that’s my opinion,” he added.
Bah also addressed concerns regarding the valuation and transfer of certain properties, including Babou Ndure Garden in Barra and the Jobe-Dolarr estate. He insisted that these assets were undervalued rather than forcibly seized and that banks were involved in the transactions.
According to Bah, the committee recommended that some individuals repay amounts previously paid by Jammeh and be restored to certain properties, noting that the sales had not followed established procedures.
“Because as far as the Commission was concerned, that really, the sale did not go through the normal process that had been taken,” he said.
He further clarified that Alpha Barry’s appointment as receiver had been formally approved by the committee and that his 10 percent fee had subsequently been reduced following property revaluation.
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