The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice expresses deep concern over the revelations published by The Republic in its investigative report titled “Inside the Multi-Million Dollar Gambia Government Venture That Makes President’s Nephew a Major Food Importer.” The report raises grave allegations of corruption, conflict of interest, regulatory breaches, and misuse of public resources involving state institutions and individuals closely linked to the presidency. The report is coming two days after police forcefully and illegally evicted the Auditor General Momodou Ceesay from his office following his unconstitutional removal by the President.
According to the report published on September 17, a D230 million state-backed overdraft facility was granted to a private company partly owned by President Adama Barrow’s nephew, Mr. Amadou Sanneh, under irregular and unlawful circumstances. The facility was supported by a sovereign guarantee issued by the Ministry of Finance, despite the company providing minimal collateral, lacking a proper operational track record, and having shareholders with documented histories of failed government contracts and legal disputes.
The report further alleges that:
• Banking regulations were blatantly ignored, including rules requiring 150% collateral and Central Bank approval for facilities exceeding 25% of a bank’s capital.
• Preferential access to foreign currency reserves was granted to the company without transparency, disadvantaging other businesses and consumers.
• Government ministries actively promoted the company’s products, raising serious concerns about unfair competition and the use of public resources to advance private interests.
• The eventual sale of Mega Bank, the state-owned institution at the heart of these dealings, was conducted under questionable circumstances, reportedly involving individuals closely connected to the president.
These allegations point to systemic governance failures and a breakdown in accountability mechanisms. If left unaddressed, they threaten public trust in state institutions and undermine the rule of law in The Gambia.
Our Demands
In the interest of transparency, accountability, and good governance, the EFSCRJ calls on President Adama Barrow to take immediate action by:
- Launching an independent and comprehensive investigation into all institutions and individuals implicated in the report, including:
o The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, for issuing a sovereign guarantee without due process.
o Mega Bank’s former management and board, for approving an irregular overdraft facility.
o The Central Bank of The Gambia, for potential regulatory failures and preferential foreign currency allocations.
o The Ministry of Trade and NFSPMC, for unfair market practices and possible misuse of public resources.
o All shareholders and beneficial owners of the company involved, particularly Amadou Sanneh and Alhaji Kebbeh, for potential conflict of interest and corruption. - Publishing the findings of the investigation in full, including all financial documents, approvals, and foreign exchange allocation records, to ensure the public is fully informed.
- Taking disciplinary and legal action against any official or private actor found to have violated the law or abused public office.
- Strengthening institutional safeguards to prevent future abuse, including stricter enforcement of the Public Finance Act, Banking Act, and anti-corruption laws.
A Call for Leadership
President Barrow has publicly committed to upholding democracy and good governance. This is a defining moment to demonstrate that no individual is above the law, regardless of family or political connections. The Gambian people deserve to know how public resources are being used and to be assured that their government acts in the public interest, not for private gain.
The EFSCRJ emphasizes that failure to act decisively will further erode public confidence, harm the country’s reputation, and embolden corruption networks at the highest levels of governance.
2025 – The Year of Transparency and Accountability
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