Sergeant Modou Saine, who previously served as personal assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, has made new allegations accusing his former superior of corruption and abuse of power.
Speaking in a lengthy interview with Kerr Fatou, Sgt. Saine described how his relationship with Lt. Gen. Cham deteriorated over time. According to him, they once shared a close working and personal connection, with Saine handling both official duties and private errands for the CDS. He said his decision to speak publicly was driven by what he believes to be unethical and possibly illegal actions by the military chief.
One of the key accusations involves a land deal in Jigimar, a village located near Farafenni in the North Bank Region. Saine claims that Lt. Gen. Cham, who was serving as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff at the time, obtained a piece of land from the village head, Alikalo Baboucarr Nyang, but allegedly failed to pay the agreed amount in full.
According to Saine, after the village head repeatedly demanded payment, Lt. Gen. Cham instructed him to collect a blue Mitsubishi pickup truck from the Gambia Armed Forces’ Supply and Transport Services, which was then under the supervision of Colonel Seedy Joof. Saine said the vehicle was taken to a garage in Bakau Newtown for repairs before being transported to Jigimar.
He further alleged that the vehicle was ultimately handed over to Baboucarr Nyang as compensation and final payment for the land.
Saine also claimed that an officer identified as CO Krubally coordinated the arrangement in Farafenni and that the ownership transfer was later finalized with official documentation. He added that copies of the transfer papers were later sent to Lt. Gen. Cham, who allegedly asked him to confirm whether the documents were genuine.
Kerr Fatou reported reviewing a land transfer document dated October 21, 2025, concerning a property in Jigimar measuring around 11,371 square meters. The document reportedly lists Mamat O.A. Cham as the transferee. Saine presented the document as evidence to support his claims.
The allegations have raised broader concerns about the possible use of military property for personal dealings and questions surrounding transparency and accountability within the Gambia Armed Forces.
As of the time this report was published, Lt. Gen. Cham and the other individuals mentioned in the allegations had not issued any public response.
