In an interview with AG Radio, Mr. Sulayman Ben Suwareh disclosed some troubling revelations regarding corruption linked to the Central Bank of the Gambia. Following the news of the arrest of CBG staff member Mr. Lamin Marong and his two travelling companions, a Gambian financial insider, who is directly associated with the Central Bank of The Gambia, reached out to the Open Gambia Platform under the condition of anonymity. Security forces arrested them at the Jenoi checkpoint, discovering $57,800 and D370,000 in their vehicle.
Mr. Suwareh stated that Open Gambia seeks to shed light on the operational environment of the CBG that may have facilitated fraud and money laundering, promoting transparency and accountability. Open Gambia aims to prevent this case from being buried like many other corruption cases in the country, particularly one involving the CBG.
During the initial arrest investigations, Lamin informed investigators that a senior official from the Central Bank had provided him with $57,800 to deliver to his father, a grand Marabou residing in Badibu, North Bank Region. Lamin informed investigators that only the senior CBG officer who dispatched the funds was aware of the reason behind his possession of such a large sum of money.
Lamin shared that a family member had converted D290,000 in old currency notes for new ones, while the remaining amount was reserved for an upcoming Gamo in their village in Badibu, North Bank Region.
Mr. Sulayman Ben Suwareh stated that, two years prior, Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy appointed Lamin Marong as a cashier during the bank’s restructuring to gain complete control. Governor Saidy made an appointment that raised some eyebrows. Bai Abi Jobe serves as a Senior Banking Officer as part of the restructuring process. The currency unit has suspended Mr. Jobe.
Mr. Suwareh stated that Governor Saidy selected Mr. Jobe from banking supervision to join the currency department, which is overseen by Mr. Abdou Ceesay. Following his exoneration from the D155 million fraud charges, Mr. Ceesay was reassigned to a different department. Governor Saidy appointed Mr. Jobe to oversee the currency department, confident that he would act in the best interests of himself, the President, the First Family (Fatoumata Barrow), and former IGP Abdoulie Sanyang, who is now the Interior Minister.
Following that transfer, Governor Saidy elevated Lamin from his position as cashier to vault assistant in the bank’s currency department, working under Mr. Jobe and several questionable assistants. This alteration reportedly facilitated fraudulent activities and granted Governor Saidy complete authority over essential operations.
Lamin, the son of the Marabou for Governor Saidy, Mr. Jobe, and Interior Minister Sanyang, took on the role of the Cabal’s main errand-runner. It has been reported that numerous staff members in the currency department are living beyond their financial means. Since Governor Saidy assumed office, it is reported that he and his associates have constructed houses valued at over D25 million in The Gambia and acquired properties in Senegal worth over $1 million, all while earning annual salaries of less than one million dalasi. Certain properties are registered under the names of family members and run businesses managed by relatives and friends.
Under Governor Saidy’s directives, Mr. Jobe is reportedly funding specific media organisations to enhance his public relations efforts and uphold a positive image of the Central Bank, thereby obscuring internal controversies.
