(JollofNews) – We, the board of directors of Royal Africa Holdings, hereby strongly refute, reject and challenge the verity of decision couple with legitimacy of the process that led the Government of the Gambia to include our companies’ names on the list of close associates of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Any rationale mind would have thought that the Ministry of Justice would have at least contact us to ascertain veracity of any alleged links (if it exists at all) before embarking on publications of our companies which goes together with the blinded blanket freezing of our accounts.
It was the responsibility of the government to engage the key management of our companies before making what we deem as pre-emptive decision of publishing our companies’ names. The government failed in this responsibility. In absence of such investigation, we deem their decision a fundamental injustice that not only tantamount to a pre-emptive and suggestive content feed publication but also an act that will have irreparable damages on our companies’ names. Surely, all rational and reasonable minded persons should and will question the Ministry of Justice’s move against our company.
We are appalled and astound that the Ministry of Justice has completely ignored this basic prerequisite cases similar to ours; thereof irreparable reputational damages already done. With a very heart board of directors, Royal Africa Holdings strongly rejects and further questions the legality, ethicality and impartiality of on the process that lead to the publication of our company name. We reject the move in its totality and do not believe that due process was followed.
The reputation of our company and directors deserves a fair justice dispensation, credibility and transparent investigation and guaranteed legal due process to ensure that justice done and seen to be done equitably. Unfortunately this publication did not deliver fair justice for us.
Royal Africa Holdings maintains our unequivocal innocence on this matter and remain very confident that we will be vindicated in this process. We strongly believe that Ministry of Justice was wrong to publish our companies’ names associating them as close associates of former President Jammeh; we reiterate that Royal Africa Holdings and subsidiaries had absolutely no business relationship with former President Jammeh.
We called on Ministry of Justice of Government of he Gambia to do the needful and retract our company name from the publication and apologise.
Finally, we are appealing directly to our global investment banking partners, consultants and foreign government partners not to be alarmed by this action of the Ministry of Justice of the Gambia; we will be vindicated. We are appealing for your continued support and partnership on our Africa focused investment portfolios including The Gambia. We are equally appealing to our fellow Gambians (our compatriots) to exercise patience. Please do not hastily conclude and judge; the conduct of Royal Africa Holdings businesses are clean, transparent and most certainly does not have anything to do with former President Jammeh.
Insha’Allah, Royal Africa Holdings will be vindicated. May Allah SWT continue to bless our nation with eternal prosperity, peace and verity.
Well prince sanyang should prove the ownership of the firm by filing a objection to courts. The courts are here for that.
That’s exceedingly correct Kinteh Kemo/ So will the claim for damages/ loss of business/ profit and reputation if proven.
Looking closely at the published list; This company would appear to be on firm ground.
There are others whose rights to own companies {going by the shareholding} also may have a grievance. Has The Minister of Justice done his homework? Or this a “witch hunt” gone wrong ?
The Minister and the Barrow Government need to explain and provide the reasons for their actions. They cannot just go around freezing the assets of legitimate companies whose business and reputation and employees are at grave risk.
The Barrow government also need to confirm or deny the existence of the alleged agreement between ECOWAS The UN and Barrow and Mr Jammeh giving protection to the said assets and members of Mr Jammeh’s Family and employees and government officers. This was reported by a high ranking APRC member by Jollof News who preferred to remain anonymous.
So many reputations on the line.
Royal Africa Holdings just emerged from the blues…Yahya Jammeh and some of his Arab cronies have a hand in that buisness…This so called Prince Ebrahim Sanyang is allegedly the son of the so called paramount chief of The Gambia Demba Sanyang…If you think your company is innocent, go to the courts and prove it. The justice minister only needed probable cause to get a court warrant to freeze your assets, which he did.
Alieu
Alieu, he is not related to the Paramount Chief. I have thought this man at Bottrop High School. His father is one Landing Sanyang (late) from Brikama but originally from Kiang Bateling.
As stated by many the best is for him to go to the courts and explain the source of his funding.
Sorry I meant “taught” not “thought”. Mobile phones now do the writings for us.
Now we are going to see who has the deepest pockets.
@Michael Scales, it would be inaccurate to assume this gov just decided to freeze the assets in question without investigating circumstances surrounding their operations/ownership. Has all the details about their investigations become public knowledge? I can certainly say that Barrow’s gov has evidence of Jammeh as Co-ownership/affiliations to these firms.
The so-called King can rant all he wants, as Kemo stated, Royal Africa Holdings has every right to file suit with the courts to redress these allegations/damage to their reputation. I would agree Barrow gov should exercise maximum care with any decision that could potentially damage any investor in the Gambia. Legitimate investors deserve protection because they are key players in promoting economic growth of any nation. Barrow’s gov is no exception.
The company is saying that they should have been asked to shed light about their links to yahya jammeh. That is the dumbest thing i ever heard. It is just like asking a murderer who has just kill someone in front of witnesses to shed light about their innocence. If the police have probable cause, they make the arrest. Similarly, if they have cause to believe that this company is affliated with yahya jammeh, they will make move to freeze. The company can take the matter to the courts if they feel that they have been wrongly implicated. Gambia now is a country of laws. It is just absurd that the government will engage these conpanies to clear themselves when evidence on the ground is pointing otherwise.
Moses
I like your explanation,brief but clear unlike the assertion put forward by Mr.scales which is impartial in favor of investors. Gambia can be friendly to investors but that shouldn’t stop the government from freezing assets it deemed are a proceed of criminality as in the case of Yahya Jammeh and his close associates or family members. This man is listed as the owner of 90% of most of these companies. How did he acquired such wealth? Let him proof it in the court of law.
Paul: Not proven. Give evidence of your claims.
Government claims Gambia now friendly to investors then freezes assets of investors;
As Royal Africa claims>>> why did the Minister of Justice not ask for its credentials?
This is not a good way to proceed; It sends all the wrong signals loudly and clearly.
Have Royal Africa received a summons explaining its indictment ?
Has anyone been arrested and charged ?
Why must the innocent prove their own guilt?
If the business is trading, it must be allowed to trade until any allegations are proved.
Do Ya Get my point or can this government do no wrong?
That was Jammeh’s bag and look how that ended up>>>
and have the government denied the APRC’s claim to this “Agreement” between Jammeh and the rest ? silencio.
Tell you what>>> close down every business in the Gambia; Indict all CEO’s.
Only allow Businesses approved by the UDP>>> then watch as Gambia sinks slowly into The Atlantic ocean without a trace>>>along with all your debt and The UDP’s massive new loans.
Is this a declaration of war on UDP! I guess we are specifically raising issue with the justice dept – maned, by the way, by a non udp member. I can’t connect the dots!
If you cannot see the game being played here/ far be it for me to spell it out.
Jammeh is calling all the shots here and your government have taken the bait;
Sorry about that;
That is quite pessimistic I must counter. The Köder(bait) is still in the water luring! You can’t expect otherwise! I think this govt is navigating quite carefully not to swallow anything hanging on that bait. I think the list presented is a fair account of assets either entirely of jammeh’s or he has stakes in them. Indeed we must protect private sector from govt overreach but where there is suspicion of collusion of theft exist, must be thoroughly investigated. I think the essence of the list published is geared towards that. Prince Sanyang will be availed the opportunity to clarify the ownership of his company. But as of now, a compelling national interest makes the move by justice dept. justifiable.
Kemo}}} Your arguments are rational, your words carefully chosen and your powers of deduction reasonable;
I have a different view; But for now I will leave the floor to you.
” Compelling national interest makes the move by the Justice Dept. justifiable”
OK>>>> carry on were listening.
Sounds like a process we have been familiar with for 22 years>>>
Carry on Kemo>>>Justify the justifiable>>>>
Silence.
“First they came for the Jolas; But that was ok I am not a Jola/
Then they came for the Ahmadi’s/ But that was ok I am not an Ahmadi/
Then they came for the socialists: But that was ok I am not a socialist/
Then they came for the Lands? But that was ok They are not my lands/
Then they came for the Assets: But that was ok They were not my assets/
Then they came for the business owners/ That was ok I did not own a business/
Then they came for the jobs/ But that was ok I did not have a job?
Then they told me what not to wear: Then I walked naked
Then they came for me/ I had nothing to lose anyway.”
@Mike, the government is not after anyone in particular. The system is in place to justify the wrongs done under Yaya Jammeh. The ministry of Justice and Gambia government is not conducting any witch-hunt against anyone. If a company`s name is allegedly listed under Yaya Jammeh`s shared ownership assets, they can come to court and clear the company`s reputation. Royal Africa Holdings can do this. The statement from them to this media house suggest to me, all is not right with the establishment of Royal Africa Holdings. But, again, the courts are there to justify that. Get ready, we will come to know so many rampant dealings that transcended during the past 22 years. And…Oh Mike, by the way, no one is asking you to walk on the streets “naked”!! Just put on some clothes please, not just a camouflage! That`s for our army men and women and we must all rest that…
Mike Scales i think you are tattered and battered by your 22 years of theft, arrogance and filth. properly read between the lines of your comments whether actually there is that pursuit in the Gambia. the only barking dogs are those who were enjoying free electricity and water supply without paying a dime to Nawec as well as enjoying the ill attached privileges from the tax payers money and now they taste what the rest of Gambians were enduring for the past 22 fucking years….(feeling the pinch now) including you who is trying to squeeze water from the stone. Let Prince seek redress from the court. I know the justice department will not jump to freeze without tangible proofs and evidence. Remember when you came in 1994 how many days did it take you to freeze all the assets of the past government ministers including permanent secretaries??? most of whom don’t have three compounds or bank accounts…this time we are counting in tens!
Mike scales
Are you becoming a Nazi propagandist now by helping inflame an already inflammatory situation. Our people need support and guidance not the same hypocrisy that the Englishman is known for. Your piece above is irresponsible to say the least and i am baffled by the motive behind it . It is nothing other than an incendiary device to cause an eruption of distrust between Gambians of different tribes,religion and different means.
Please contribute positively or leave us to our fate as we Gambians have always overcome our difficulties. We kicked out the British from our shores without a bullet being fired, we kicked out dictator Jammeh without a bullet being fired and we will prevail in this present struggle God willing in peace and brotherhood. We don’t need no subject of a fading empire to make fun of our predicament.
God bless our beloved nation.
Bourne: I wore a Kaftan and flowered Jeans and Jesus sandles way back in the 60’s;
Then we said “All you need is Love”
I agree Prince looks quite a “Good Looker”
Well Big Brother Barrow has 3 years to make his fashion statement? or was that 5 Years ???
Mike, I thought you were going to say, “mind you stain the Prince!” A Kaftan, flowered jeans and Jesus sandal in the 60s? I doubt Prince will wear them and say, “All you need is Love”
Big Brother Barrow has three years to make his fashions statement of course. Must be the culture why he wears the graceful white (3) piece gowns. He shouldn’t be fake like Jammeh going to farm wearing them.
Natty>> The summary was similar to someone who spent 7 years in a Nazi concentration camp>>> Not from someone who supported the Nazi’s and survived.
But I see it has brought out the “best” from some of our commentators>>
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
As the Red indian’s used to say>>. Death to the white eyes>>> do we see a ban on British tourists coming soon ? With such historic hate, Gambia may be off the holiday shopping list soon. Shame on you / Its so funny.
Does this mean another wave of young Gambians coming here ? They can wear what they like here including Democracy Now Tee= Shirts.
Mike scales
Another ignoramus arrogant statement from a Brit who doesn’t have a lesson in African history. Africa was doing fine before the white men arrived in our shores with their Bibles in one hand and a gun in the other and left with our gold,diamonds, timber and our sweat. Africa will still do fine if the imperialist powers butt out of our internal affairs. Gambia will still thrive without the British tourists and their shopping list of our young men,women and children. Yes the sex tourist to be precise.
An English man have no moral justification to ask whether there will be a wave of young Gambians coming to UK. The Brits lived in our country for 400 years and built nothing except churches and prisons,so young Gambians will be coming to UK to take back home what you had stolen from us during those 400 years of imposed rule. I have no hatred towards no man but i hate the hypocrisy of the British.
God bless our beloved nation.
Need I say More :
Mike, is not about your scales being tough this time now but indeed they are not calibrating at all. If they are electronic, I would suggest you need batteries charged. Or, perhaps you need a week off from the very scales..
And,……the Scaly fellow shamefully calls American Indians, the abhorred name, “Red Indians” as if we were dealing with a distasteful John Wayne movie!!
What an insult to the honorable, indigenous people of the Americas from an ignoramus!!
Very sad indeed!!
Bourne, now there’s no question as to why Gambians don’t need to hear from the likes of this roughly hewn fellow!
He’s got every right to keep donating his measly change to Jollof News for the object of being offered the PRIVILEGE of ranting and spewing profanities on this medium!!
Andrew, Mike has definitely raised my eyebrows. Yeah, and I forgot about his take on the indigenous Indian with, “red”. I would like to apologise if I have ever referred to them by that term. That a is very abhorred name indeed.
I think the Trump race and British American races have become the savages of the 21 century America with all the deliberate slaying of blacks and their children by white policemen and women. Oucch! They tell the Mexican Mayas, Sioux, Apaches etc, “Go Home”!? Would Mike have voted for Trump if he were living in America?
Imagine what a serious joke America has become recently..
Come on, sorry for going far off the topic. It’s about the Royals, the Holdings, the Prince and the link to Jammeh.
Well actually old boys>> you made me a lot of money today for which I am truly grateful; You see I had withdrawn £2500 to give to my Manchester Kidney Consultant during my transplant check up today. This towards their selfless efforts toward saving Gambian lives. I pondered whether such a generous donation would be worthy considering your outrageous comments against the British. I must admit I was then drawn towards doing nothing. I then thought I had gone to so much trouble to withdraw the £2500>> from my investment portfolio and what should I do with it??? Then I had an idea. I put the money on a horse at Epsom Races called GK Chesterton. It won easily at 3 to 1.
I am now £10,000 to the good/ less the stake of £2500 giving me a return of £7500 on my investment.
Easy come easy go>> you can’t take it with you.
It must be my lucky day>> thank you for your support.
Ducks back>> wins the day> Chin Chin.
and By the way>>> seeing the riots in Foni and the disclaimer from Mr Jammeh>>
Perhaps your apologies may be accepted. But I would have to consider this very carefully.
And Mr Bourne>> calling the Brits and the Yanks the savages of the 21st century will not go without notice or contempt from your benefactors. Or armies do not as a rule shoot children. We do not torture political prisoners to death, neither do we chop peoples heads off. And we always give our enemies a decent burial.
and yes Mr Jammeh is as perplexed and I am.
Freedom of speech fair and balanced.
Scales, your quote about “our armies” is very very very, debatable.
Mike, I doubt you feel honored by the Gunjurian heart-felt award of an honorary citizenship to you.
After all I didn’t say the Brit and the Yankees are the 21century savages of America! The way you arrogantly misconstrued my remark doesn’t even make a bit of sense. So you mean only the Americans of British and Deutsch descent are Yankees? What a pomposity..!
How could ever be wrong there are 21st century savages in America just like we have a sect of them in the Gambia.. Does bunch of protesters in the Foni district you mention have missed feeding themselves with public funds without a rationale. They must learn skills to be able to make food and shelter for themselves far from the desire to dipping incorporating state coffers into family banking. They must also make themselves current with democratic and civil society standards.
The 2000 student massacre how ever didn’t make much of a headline on the British papers like thugs like Foday Kalleh of the jungles of diamond rich Sierra Leone did anyway. That what the Scales world is all about; business, profits the troubling thought of losses and little care about lives that could be endangered in the process. The way they said to the horses, ‘come on, come on’ because they want an extra 7 and a half grands on their bet tells it all.
Mr. Jammeh must be perplexed to see that he will lose all his bloody bets of 22years.
…those bunch of protesters
As a rule, dear boy “as a rule” I was there on April 10th 2000. I couldn’t get a ticket for the concert on Sunday at Old Trafford for Ariane Grande>>>50.000 sold out in 6 minutes.
No water off my back Mr Bourne; What you said is on this page/You have not got the guts to support your words. You are a useless good for nothing who one day supports Jammeh and the next day you flow with the crowd. But that’s ok old man/ come shit stir as much as you like. Actions have reactions.
I am laughing at you all the way to the bank. Do have another worthless miserable day old son. Your a poor example of a silly old Gambian good for nothing.
My sincere condolences to Mr Jatta and his friends and family. We thought the killing by soldiers had ended. Somethings never change. Not a good day for the new democracy.
I think the Barrow government have a lot on their plate now. Not very intelligent leadership. Government by provocation is never a good idea. All actions have consequences. Soft power/ Hard power>> so which is it now?