Gov’t vehicle controller bought two from controversial sale of ex–president Jammeh’s vehicles

A parliamentary inquiry into the sale of the assets of ex–president Yahya Jammeh is set to begin public hearings on July 7. 

Picture of former president Yahya Jammeh. @BBC

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At least 458 vehicles belonging to the ex–Gambian president Yahya Jammeh were sold at the behest of the Janneh Commission, a financial inquiry established by President Adama Barrow to probe the financial dealings of his predecessor and his key associates. Some D44m was recovered from the sales with some vehicles going for as low as D5000. 

The details around the sales remain largely hidden from public view until an investigation by The Republic published in April forced the government to publish a significant number of sales reports, with some indicating names of the buyers. Among the long list of buyers is Nfamara Saidybah, the government controller of vehicles, whose office took a lead role in taking inventory of vehicles for the Janneh Commission. 

The role of a vehicle controller is  to manage and oversee the government’s vehicle fleet, ensuring efficient acquisition, assignment, use, maintenance and disposal of vehicles in accordance with the laws and policies of the state. 

During their investigations, the Janneh Commission recommended the auction of government vehicles that are not in use. The Office of the Vehicle Control led the preparation of the official inventory of seized vehicles for the Janneh Commission. The office was also represented at the sales, an operation which began on January 14, 2019. 

The report on the sales of the vehicles shows that Saidybah bought a Toyota Land Cruiser for D20,000, a head of a Bed Ford for D3,000 and a truck for 75, 000, prices many say are below market value. When contacted for clarification, Saidybah responded with a photo of an old pickup truck, stating, “Anyway, this is the only Land Cruiser pickup that I bought.” He did not disclose the purchase price nor respond to other follow-up questions, particularly regarding a potential conflict of interest that his participation in the sale raises. Gambian activist and executive director of Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice, Madi Jobarteh, said the matter goes beyond individual misconduct. 

“Unless there is a clear conflict of interest policy with a conflict disclosure agreement signed, the actions of Saidybah potentially constitute conflict of interest. As the person responsible for the inventorying of the vehicles for sale or disposal in which he became a beneficiary, there is every reason to believe that he favored himself in the process,” said Jobarteh.  

“… The sale of these vehicles should be cancelled, all sold vehicles returned and buyers refunded so that a whole new process is undertaken to dispose of the vehicles anew.” 

During his 22-year rule, the former president Yahya Jammeh looted an estimated $362 million from the State, according to the government. These monies were lavished on a long list of luxury items including vehicles, aircraft, and real estate. An investigation by the The Republic published in April alleged that the recovery of this loot has been marred by corruption, aided by lack of transparency in the disposal processes.

To date, only $23,716,725 has been recovered from the sale of 35 real estate properties, including a vehicle garage, livestock, five aircraft, 458 vehicles, 197 tractors, shares in four companies, dividend payments from three companies, and valuable items found at his Dunes Resort and Casino. 

The report caused public outrage, leading to three days of protests by a group of young people calling themselves Gambians Against Looted Assets. The situation prompted the President to address the nation, forcing the Ministry of Justice to publish a full list of vehicles sold. The list included a bus which was sold for D125, 000, a Hummer for D20,000, a Land Rover for D10, 000 and a Range Rover for D50, 000. 

The public outrage triggered the parliament to open an inquiry. The parliamentary committee is scheduled to commence public hearings on July 7. They have summoned a number of high profile past and present employees of government.

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