Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Police Force prematurely halted its investigation into an alleged $30 million oil-related corruption and money laundering scandal on the orders of the former Inspector General of Police, now serving as Minister of Interior, the official report of the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) and the Public Enterprises Committee (PEC), disclosed on Thursday June 26,2025
The report, covering the period from August 2024 to May 2025, reveals that the police investigation into suspicious transactions involving Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Ltd, and Ultimate Beige Logistics was stopped before substantial progress could be made. Apogee FZC is not registered in The Gambia but allegedly controls funds from the petroleum sale through joint sub-accounts with the two Gambian companies.
According to testimony from senior police officials, including the current Inspector General of Police Seedy Muctar Touray and the Commissioner of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), a panel had been formed to probe the matter, but was ordered to stand down. Commissioner Pa Alieu Jawara initially testified that the directive came from the former IGP, but later retracted that statement, claiming the decision was made internally to “keep in view” the matter. The report, however, highlights contradictions between his testimony and that of other officers, who confirmed receiving direct instructions from him to halt the probe.
The Committee also observed that Mr. Aurimas Steiblys, Apogee’s local representative, was cautioned but never charged. His statement lacked a date, signature, and an independent witness irregularity the Committee described as “a serious departure from procedural police practice.” The report further notes that no bail bond was signed, and Mr. Aurimas’ passport was not surrendered to ensure his availability.
Police admitted that Mr. Aurimas and another suspect, Nana N.A. Koranteng was uncooperative. Requests for documents were not fulfilled, and questionnaires allegedly sent to the suspects were never delivered to the Committee.
Additionally, the police failed to obtain timely statements from banking institutions involved. Statements from Access Bank and Ecobank were received more than a year later, only after police were summoned before the Committee.
According to the report, the entire investigation lacked transparency, proper documentation, and legal compliance, raising serious questions about interference and negligence within the Gambia Police Force.
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