(JollofNews) – A former governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia Tuesday told the commission of inquiry probing numerous allegations of mismanagement of public funds, abuse of office, and wilful violations of public funds by former President Yahya Jammeh and his associates that he executed orders from the former president out of fear of being arrested and detained for months without fair trial.
Amadou Colley who headed the Central Bank for six years and was among other things responsible for ensuring price and financial stability of the Gambia, said during his tenure, he was instructed to execute some instructions that were not in line with the bank’s own policies.
He added that in one instance, he was instructed by Office of the President to open a sand mining account for Mr Jammeh.
He said although a request for the opening of a government account with the bank should have come from the Accountant General as stated in the bank’s manual, he carried out the instructions without hesitation before notifying the Accountant General and Ministry of Finance.
Mr Colley added that the political environment during Mr Jammeh’s era was very intimidating and he didn’t have the courage to tell Mr Jammeh to follow the procedures of the bank
He added: “The Accountant General will write to us defining the purpose of the account and that they all fall under government deposit. We do not ask what the purpose for opening the account was because it is not relevant to us.
“Whenever I receive a phone call or letter, I authorise the payments and then work on the documentation later. I did this to avoid consequences on me, my family or my life so I made the decision with the belief that documentation will be complete.”
Further giving evidence, Mr Colley said: “For several years, the protocol officers and special aids to the president will come to the bank with instructions from the Office of the President. On many occasions, I will receive text messages from General Sulayman Badjie [of the Armed Forces] saying that President Jammeh wants to withdraw some money and if he [General Badjie] is not able to come, he will send some people to come and collect the money.
“It is not okay at all and we were dealing with an abnormal situation so I fear for my life and that of my family. I could not do anything under the circumstances for somebody like Jammeh, who is not normal. If I was able to resign and leave the country, I would have done so because I was not comfortable and I fear for my life.”
The former governor who sent packing from the post in last May, said President Jammeh used to interfere with monetrary policies of the bank.
“It is not normal but we were concerned of the consequences of standing up to the president, which could result in me being detained for months with no fair trial and the list is been sacked.”
Amadou Colley you are not alone. We ALL were afraid. I personally understand the extreme psychological hardship these men and women faced during that time. There are few Gambians alive today that would have challenged Yahya Jammeh order. We are all victims. It takes courage to face our people now and admit and take responsibility for your actions then. We understand there are mitigating circumstances. That is redeeming.
Amadou Colley is telling lies. The FEAR syndrome is a ploy by their lawyers to exonerate them of any wrong-doing while in office, of course in the absence of President Jammeh with whom the fared immensely.
While didn’ t Amadou opt for escaping the string when he saw the wrong and fearful sides of President Jammeh? He’s a HYPOCRITE, a LIAR and a SELLOUT!
Babu Soli, there is evidence of what appears to be rampant looting of state funds by Yaya Jammeh and you have problem with officials offering explanations to the commission! What is he lying about: that he was operating out of fear or that these monies were being withdrawn on Jammeh’s orders? He is a “Sell-out”, you claim! How?
Correction:
Why didn’t…..not WHILE.
There but for fortune go you or I. Well done Mr Colley. I bet you’re glad to get this off your chest. I hope you find some closure.= and move on.
Bax,
Analyse isssues with a bit of intellectual cohesion. This man was President Jammeh’s most illustrous funcionaries, enjoying all the cream of high office with a very fat salary, per diem emoluments, fringe benefits, AC official vehicles/house/office, sending children/family/buddies on officially-sponsored scholarships and all the “delicious” nutrients of high office for SIX YEARS!
What is he LYING about now? Why didn’t he say,”I’m escaping the clutches of President Jammeh because I can no longer stand the abuses” And just flee.
When he discloses figures, I won’t disagree, but when he said, he was working under FEAR/DURESS, I see the overt hypocrisy in this man!
Babu Soli
How can you be certain about the man’s state of mind, under Jammeh? Have you had the opportunity to talk to him during that period? Do you have any proof that he has personally benefitted from this malpractice?
As a Central Bank official, receiving per diem and other allowances when he travels comes with the job. That alone is neither an indication of wilful collusion with Jammeh, nor evidence of the absence of fear in the man, under Jammeh.
Moreover, our knowledge of Jammeh and the corroboration of the man’s claim of fear by other officials of the Central Bank, lends credence to his claim more than any counter claims, including yours.
After all, didn’t Ousman Sonko also flee for his life and was trying to seek asylum abroad? So, the fear factor in these officials was very real and it is a genuine cause for mitigation.
That is why I stated elsewhere that the Commission’s recommendations in their final report should be interesting.
I think eventually, you will be forced to throw the towel in and see Yaya Jammeh for what he was: A cowardly criminal, who was not man enough to defend his legacy, if he believes in it, as you seem to do, and chose to flee into exile and abandon those he used to milk the state, to their own fates.
Babu Mad professor Soli
You are the biggest hypocrite to ever call Gambia home. So you finally believed that there were others who fled to escape the clutches of Jammeh when they couldn’t stand the abuses and feared the consequences of his wrath or is this another of your double standard jobbing. Are you also finally agreeing to the figures being disclosed? Grim reading yeah? So you have seen the lofty achievements of this fake ass motherfucking despot, milked our coffers dry.
Even one of your fans Mike scales have seen the folly of your stand, the dishonesty of your various assertions and the bankruptcy of your argument. A redeemable fool who felt no remorse at the lost of our illustrious sons and daughters to Jammeh’s brutality. If you believe in natural justice, then you should prepare yourself for the reckoning awaiting Jammeh and his evil cohorts and blind loyalist fools like yourself.
Babu; Thank you for the insight as to what makes a Jammeh sycophant. Your revelations into the twisted culture of “turning a blind eye” over 22 years, is highly intelligent. So are all former and present sycophants ready to move Mother Gambia in the true democratic path ? Or are you to pine away for your lost illusions forever ?
Because beyond all reasonable doubt Jammeh peddled his illusions of grandeur while he was filling his pockets with your hard earned taxes and getting others to do his dirty work of self protectionism. Have you absolutely no pity or remorse for those brothers and sisters who perished ? Or was this just another illusion ?
To me, the word “unpredictable” applies only in whether forecast, and the British whether is where the word is most precisely applicable. Hah!
The likes of Mr Colley, Sabally, Touray and Ms Jobe are all complicit in the misappropriation of public funds, to say I’m afraid for my life so I went along with everything Jammeh demanded is not good enough. They could all have done the honourable thing and resign their post and flee, the reason they didn’t is because they were all profiting from the scam. Example most be set on all those found wanting in the misuse of public funds so as to discourage such disgusting behaviour from our high ranking public officials. These peoples have no moral fibre in their bones, stealing from the poor for self aggrandisement is disgusting and the new government most show zero tolerance to such behaviour.
There is concurrence in the country that most that served Jammeh are complicit in his criminal enterprise, however that does not mean there are no mitigating circumstances. My personal opinion is that greed and quest for power was a major motivation, so is fear of a real and present danger to life and limb. Let there be no doubt about one thing Yahya Jammeh was evil, he may be one of the worst in history once all the facts are know. For now we must encourage all his subordinate to come forward and tell their story. God Bless The Gambia
Mike Scales,
And what good did President Jammeh do? What did he inherit and what did he improve? Whatever he did in the past is no longer pretext for the abominable governance we are at present enduring!
Bax,
I think we’ll continue to differ with you. The man was there for SIX years fearing while enjoying. What a paradox. We was a slave to his conscience, wasn’t he?
Those army officials who disagreed with Hitler, fled to neighbouring European or South American countries. Some German civilian dissidents just assisted the Jews to escape, inevitably risking their lives, The Schindler case, and others just slipped away with the Jew escapees.
Didn’t Gambians of various walks of life flee during the Jammeh era? That was their decision, but more manly than Amadou Colley’s.
Correction: “he was a slave to his conscience…….NOT WE was……
Babu; There will always be a place for you in my democratic house. For you are a constant reminder to us all, of what becomes of the “average” brainwashed gambian sycophant of 22 years’
Have you had an invite to The Dunes Casino ? Maybe Elvis can be resurrected by a Jammeh all cure elixir.
The King is dead long live the King. >>
“and don’t you step on ma blue suede shoes”.
Work All Day makes Jack a dull boy. A ‘bit’ like it makes him go to play hahahaha…., and is quite refreshing