As investigations into the sale and disposal of assets belonging to former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, the National Assembly Select Committee tasked with investigating the sale and disposal of assets belonging to former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh has uncovered major irregularities in the management, valuation and sale of livestock linked to the former leader.
In its findings, the committee noted that the Commission of Inquiry, commonly referred to as Janneh Commission, did not produce a comprehensive report dedicated to livestock assets despite evidence showing that cattle and other animals formed a significant portion of Jammeh’s holdings.
According to the committee, although the Commission observed cattle, wildlife and other animals during visits to the former president’s properties, it failed to examine how these assets were acquired, the sources of funding used, or whether their acquisition complied with the law. This omission, the committee said, created a major gap in the investigation.
A High Court order issued in May 2017 had directed the Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) to assume custody of the livestock while wildlife assets were placed under the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management. However, poor coordination and communication between institutions meant that GLMA never formally took control of the animals as intended.
Evidence before the committee further revealed that before the court order was effectively implemented, the livestock were largely under the control of members of the Gambia Armed Forces at farms in Kanilai, Farato and Banjulinding. Witnesses also testified that shortly after Jammeh’s departure from office, more than 400 cattle at the Farato farm were allegedly slaughtered or sold under the instructions of a farm manager identified as Major Gibril Jammeh.
The committee also raised concerns about the livestock inventory and valuation process conducted in December 2017. Officials from the Commission and GLMA carried out a tagging and valuation exercise that relied largely on visual estimation rather than proper weighing equipment. The exercise recorded 642 cattle across the three farms, but other animals such as goats and sheep were not included in the final report. Investigators found several inconsistencies in the reported weights and prices of the cattle, describing the figures as unreliable and implausible.
Serious irregularities were also identified in the sale process. Although the High Court mandated the Sheriff of the High Court to conduct the auction and safeguard the proceeds in an interest-bearing account, the committee found that standard procedures were not followed. The sale was not made public.
Consequently, the committee has recommended that the Hon. Justice Sheriff B. Tabally be referred to the Judicial Service Commission and to the IGP, respectively, for investigation and appropriate action for causing economic loss to the state, negligence and dereliction of duty, and for any other offence.
Alieu Jallow, the former Registrar of Companies, be referred to the appointing authority and to the IGP for investigation and appropriate action against him for economic loss to the state, and for any other offence.
Mr. Ebrima Cham, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of GLMA, be also reprimanded by his appointing authority for negligence and dereliction of duty.
The officers at the Sheriffs’ Departments who took part in the sale, in particular, Seedy Fatty (Deputy Sheriff) and Modou Musa Ceesay (Bailiff), be subjected to administrative disciplinary action by the JSC, and criminal investigation by the Inspector General of the Police within 60 days of the report.
