By: Fatou Krubally
Former Chairperson of the Janneh Commission, Mr. Surahata BS Janneh, reappeared before the Special Select Committee yesterday to clarify questions surrounding the sale and disposal of assets identified by the commission and alleged conflicts during its operations.
Mr. Janneh provided context on the commission’s handling of assets, explaining that a High Court injunction predating the commission had frozen vehicles, livestock, and other properties. He noted that the commission’s later actions, particularly the valuation and sale of vehicles, were carried out within the commission’s understanding of its mandate, though he acknowledged that only the judiciary could definitively resolve questions of legality.
“I am not making a decision,” he said, “but in my view, the commission’s order had the effect of varying the High Court order. Only the Supreme Court can finally decide whether that was proper in law.” He stressed that any affected party, including former President Jammeh, had the opportunity to challenge these actions in court but did not do so.
Mr. Janneh also addressed allegations of internal conflict, particularly a bitter quarrel in 2018 between the commission’s Secretary, Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, and Lead Counsel, Amie Bensouda, over issues including interference with commission directives and professional disagreements. He explained that the dispute was eventually escalated to the Office of the President, which resolved the matter by removing Mr. Kurang from his position.
The former chairperson described the process of compiling the commission’s report, highlighting that each commissioner contributed expertise in their respective fields, with the chairman reviewing and editing submissions for coherence. Despite battling illness and personal challenges during this period, he emphasized the thoroughness and independence of the commission’s work.
Mr. Janneh also touched on the government’s later attempts to lift freezing orders on certain assets, including TDA lands, underscoring that the commission maintained strict adherence to its parliamentary mandate while navigating complex legal and administrative challenges.
Throughout his testimony, Mr. Janneh repeatedly stressed the importance of judicial authority in settling disputes over the commission’s actions, noting that the National Assembly’s oversight and the commission’s investigations were distinct from judicial review.
The session provided detailed insight into both the legal and administrative dimensions of the Janneh Commission’s work, highlighting tensions between executive action, parliamentary oversight, and judicial authority.
The committee is expected to continue its investigation and questioning in subsequent hearings.
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By: Fatou Krubally Former Chairperson of the Janneh Commission, Mr. Surahata BS Janneh, reappeared before the Special Select Committee yesterday…
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