By: Fatou Krubally
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubacar M. Tambadou, on Friday reappeared before the parliamentary committee, clarifying the handling of Jammeh properties forfeited by the state.
Mr. Tambadou made several appearances before the Special Select Committee on the Sale and Disposal of Assets identified by the Janneh Commission.
During his testimony last Friday, Tambadou explained that while the Janneh Commission recommended certain properties be preserved for government use, some of these assets were sold under ministerial decisions rather than through any irregular process. “The ministerial committee, which I chaired at the time, was tasked with identifying properties to be sold and conveying them to the receiver,” he said. “If a property was listed for sale, it reflected a decision made by the ministerial committee, not a deviation from procedure.”
He further clarified the distinction between the technical committee and the ministerial committee. The technical committee, composed of permanent secretaries from relevant ministries, acted in an advisory capacity, reviewing and recommending what should be sold or retained. The ministerial committee, comprising the ministers themselves, held the final authority to accept or reject the technical committee’s advice. “The technical committee may have advised against selling certain properties, but the ministerial committee had the final say,” Tambadou said.
The former AG also addressed concerns over the appointment of receivers for the disposal of forfeited assets. He confirmed that Alpha Barry of Alpha kapital was engaged in his individual capacity, not on behalf of the company, to handle the sales process. Tambadou explained that appointments were guided by principles of competence, integrity, and trustworthiness, consistent with the broader transitional justice framework established after the change of government.
Tambadou noted that some discrepancies in reporting arose from procedural gaps, including missing minutes and unclear documentation from both committees. He emphasized that the final decision on which properties were to be sold rested with the ministerial committee, and any properties conveyed to the receiver reflected that official decision.
The former AG also contextualized his approach within the unique challenges of transitional justice in The Gambia, highlighting that the government had to manage sensitive assets in a post-conflict environment where transparency, accountability, and continuity of state functions were paramount.
The committee is expected to review Tambadou’s clarifications alongside existing records to establish a complete account of how Jammeh-era assets meant for government use were managed and disposed.
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