Serving member of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Warrant Officer Class 2(WO2) Lamin Suso has named the Gambia’s army chief Gen. Mamat O. Cham and President Barrow’s adviser Dou Sanno in the controversial disposal of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets.
The National Assembly’s Special Committee, investigating the sale and disappearance of assets, belonging to former president Jammeh, on Tuesday heard testimony from the senior non-commissioned officer, serving with the State Guards Battalion.
WO2 Suso testified that he was directly ordered by the then State Guards Commander, Colonel Turo Jawaneh, alongside a dedicated team, to take an inventory of the former President’s assets, recounting a notable incident in which his team identified one of Jammeh’s saloon vehicles at the Maintenance Services Agency (MSA). He added that a mechanic on site corroborated the vehicle’s identity.
According to Suso, the mechanic was subsequently escorted to an individual named Siaka, who was reportedly given the vehicle, for a new paint job. He further adduced that the vehicle was later allegedly recovered by President Barrow’s adviser Dou Sanno and taken to Brufut, where it was reportedly utilized by Hon. Momodou Kanteh.
WO2 Suso’s testimony centered on the alleged unauthorized distribution of vehicles from the former president’s fleet. He told the committee that army sergeant Adama Jagne was actively issuing Jammeh’s vehicles to various individuals at both the State House and Fajara Barracks.
When asked as to where Sgt. Jagne derived the authority for these actions, WO2 Suso replied that Jagne was acting under orders from high-ranking military officers.
Suso alleged that the army chief Brigadier General Mamat O.A. Cham had ordered Jagne to issue a vehicle to the 1st Infantry Battalion at the army HQ camp in Yundum.
The witness also recounted another instance in which, he said, Sgt. Jagne was allegedly ordered by a certain Commissioner Darboe to issue three vehicles to the State Intelligence Service (SIS). Suso testified that the late Commissioner Gorgie Mboob signed the delivery notes on behalf of Commissioner Darboe following the handover of these vehicles.
The National Assembly Special Committee continues its hearings as it seeks to fully account for the assets of the former president and investigate all matters related to their sale and alleged misappropriation.
