During his testimony at the ongoing Local Government Commission inquiry on Tuesday, Makumba Sanneh, advisor to the Banjul City Council (BCC), encountered sharp enquiries concerning his qualifications and financial dealings.
Sanneh, appointed to the role in 2019, recognised during the hearing that his experience was limited at the time of his appointment. He stated that his suggestion for the role was made by the Mayor after he offered his services for a task force created in the aftermath of the 2018 elections.
During an inquiry led by chief counsel Patrick Gomez, Sanneh was prompted to elaborate on the distinctive qualifications he offered as an advisor to the Mayor, CEO, and the Council, in light of the general council’s duties. Sanneh highlighted his position as the Mayor’s campaign manager, stating that the Mayor felt his experience and understanding of Banjul’s challenges positioned him as the ideal candidate for the advisory role.
Gomez, however, indicated that Sanneh’s appointment was primarily a result of his ties to the Mayor’s campaign rather than any official qualifications. Sanneh accepted this assertion without dispute.
The witness disclosed that he receives a monthly salary and allowance amounting to D20,000. His advisory role mainly consists of providing general guidance on matters like streetlights and waste collection.
Additional enquiries uncovered Sanneh’s participation in revenue collection efforts, particularly alongside Pa Modou, the licence manager, in the process of issuing invoices. Although he was present during these activities, Sanneh maintained that he did not personally collect revenue, asserting that the funds were gathered by a designated revenue collector following the issuance of licenses.
Gomez highlighted that the investigation revealed Sanneh was often referred to as the overseer of the licence unit. Sanneh affirmed that the CEO had verbally directed him to manage the unit, though he refuted any involvement in revenue collection. “Your role was to provide guidance to the director of finance.” How can you provide guidance to the director of finance without possessing the necessary qualifications? The lead counsel enquired.
“At times, when I visit the market and observe the collectors gathering revenue, I notice that the area is extensive, and one individual cannot manage the collection alone. Therefore, I approach the director of finance to request the addition of another collector,” the witness replied.
The lead counsel implied to the witness that his description did not constitute a legitimate job, suggesting that if he were honest with himself—and if others were truthful with him—he would acknowledge that he did not possess an official position at BCC. The counsel highlighted that BCC possesses a well-defined structure, featuring a finance director, collectors, and managers accountable for the different zones.
“My role is to provide guidance on their actions,” the witness replied.
The witness further affirmed that his salary and allowance had been raised to 35,000 Dalasi. Nevertheless, the lead counsel challenged the rationale for the increase, highlighting that he was not formally employed by the council.
“I’m not sure; they raised it.” He replied, “They informed me that they were raising staff salaries, and they also raised my salary.”
Lead Counsel Gomez further interrogated the witness regarding his accounts at GT Bank and BSIC Bank, both of which were accepted as evidence.
Gomez highlighted that the witness deposited three hundred thousand dalasis on March 24, 2022, and enquired, “Where did you obtain this?”
This payment was made to me. In 2018, I provided my sister with a loan of D2.1 million. She carries a container from China. Upon her arrival, she began compensating me, and this is the amount I deposited into my account. I have never had an account. “I opened an account with BCC so they can deposit my salary there,” he said.
“You don’t have a bank account, so where did you store the 2.1 million dalasis?” “You wouldn’t travel with that sum of money,” the lead counsel enquired.
The witness indicated that he returned to The Gambia in 2017 and had entrusted the money to his mother, from whom he subsequently retrieved it. He also noted that his sister compensated him in cash.
The lead counsel subsequently referenced multiple deposits made into the witness’s bank account, highlighting significant savings:
On November 16, 2022, a deposit of 300,000 dalasis
On March 24, 2023, a deposit of 50,000 dalasis was made at BISC Bank.
On April 28, 2021, a deposit of 149,000 dalasis was made, followed later in the same month by another deposit of 139,222 dalasis.
Further contributions of 35,000 and 10,000 dalasis were made in 2021 alone.
“The list goes on,” the lead counsel stated. “You are not taking out funds — you are consistently adding substantial amounts of money.”
He also pointed out that in May, two deposits were recorded: one amounting to 184,000 dalasis and the other to 194,000 dalasis. The account balance once soared to an impressive 1,226,106 dalasis.
The lead counsel enquired whether a significant deposit had been made into the account.
The witness clarified that the funds mentioned by the lead counsel were the allowances deposited into his current account, which were subsequently moved to his savings account.
Counsel Gomez highlighted to the witness that before taking on his role as an adviser, he did not possess a significant amount of money, and it was only after assuming this position that he began to accumulate these funds. “Lead counsel, I have a differing opinion.” I have spent 30 years in Europe, working each year without exception. I travelled to Gambia for a vacation using my own funds. I have not opened an account. My mother held onto my money. “I brought all my siblings to Europe,” the witness stated.
