Alpha Barry, who is in charge of former President Yahya Jammeh’s properties and leads Alpha Kapital, made a return on Monday to the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee that is examining the sale and disposal of Jammeh’s assets.
During his testimony, Barry revealed that he had been directed to pay D50 million to the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to aid in reparations for victims of Jammeh’s regime.
“Barry informed lawmakers that D50 million was paid to the TRRC.”
He clarified that the payment was deposited directly into a commercial bank account with the authorization of the Office of the Attorney General, highlighting that the funds were designated exclusively for victim reparations.
“The 50 million was paid directly to a commercial bank account with the authority of the office of the Attorney General, and the money was for victims’ reparations,” he said.
Barry additionally testified that the Chairperson of the TRRC, through the Attorney General’s Chambers, sanctioned the transfer. He observed that the payment request was not forwarded to the Accountant General’s Department.
Barry stated that his company collaborated closely with the Office of the Auditor General throughout the receivership process. At first, he stated that inquiries about asset management were to be directed to the Accountant General, who would subsequently pass them on to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“When we were asked for information, the Accountant General would then seek guidance from the Office of the Attorney General,” Barry said, adding that “there was a lot lost in translation in between.”
He shared that certain questions were subsequently posed at the National Assembly, leading to discussions aimed at clarifying misconceptions regarding his company’s involvement.
“At some point, there were some queries at the National Assembly, and we sat around to discuss what the issues were, and it was sorted out,” He Said
Barry informed the committee that he subsequently met with the then Auditor General to clarify that his role as receiver involved managing Jammeh’s properties and assets, rather than selling cattle, vehicles, or tractors, as some auditors had mistakenly believed.
“The confusion was, they always thought that I was responsible for the sale of the cattle and also the sale of vehicles and tractors,” he explained.
The majority of financial inquiries went through the Accountant General because all payments were handled through the government’s recovery account, he continued, adding that his office now collaborates with the pertinent organizations.
