Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue

Issue No. 66/2004, 19-22 August, 2004

EDITORIAL

30 Kilo Rice For 205 Dalasis

The Source And The Purpose

 Food Aid is now coming in different ways from developed countries.  The
current sale of 30 Kilo bags of rice for D205 each in the Kanifing
Municipality is a clear example of such assistance.  The rice is not
imported.  It is a part of the development assistance of the Japanese
Government.  They had provided the rice and they expect the Government to
open up a Bank Account where they will deposit the money earned from the
sale of the rice to finance development projects.

In the past, governments in developed countries used to purchase the
agricultural goods of their farmers in order to reduce the quality of
produce put in the World Market so as to maintain high prices for such
goods.  They used to utilize such purchased farm produce as Food Aid to
developing countries.

Many theories developed that such Food Aid handling reached the poor and
increasingly found outlet in the markets of developing countries as goods
for the retail trade.  On the other hand, it was also claimed that Food Aid
does make the farmer too dependent and this stifles his/her enthusiasm to
produce on his/her own.  All these theories which have been criticized and
defended by different scholars now have the effect of transforming
governments into merchants who sell donated food items below their market
prices so as to earn from their countries money to invest in development
projects.  However if our countries expand their food production and
economic development, government should still be able to have a larger tax
base to collect revenue to meet expenditures on more sustainable basis.

We hope the government will account for the money received and the object
to which it is put.  We also hope that Commissioners who claim that the
Japanese rice was brought in by President Jammeh to reduce the price of
rice would desist from such propaganda and simply tell people the truth.



AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT BY MEDIA EXECUTIVES

We the undersigned Executive Members of the Gambia Press Union, Senior
Journalists and Heads of Private Media Houses wish to inform you about our
concern regarding the persistent spate of attacks on the private media by
people who claim to be supports of your government and yourself and the
failure of the government so far to apprehend the culprits.

To highlight the latest of such incidents, on the night of 14th August 2004
at about 3 am, the private residence of Ebrima Sillah, the BBC Banjul
correspondent, situated in Jambur, Kombo South was burnt to ashes.

Previous to that, his life was threatened by people who identified
themselves as the ‘Green Boys’, committed to the cause of defending your
government, in an e-mail they sent to the BBC, which was forwarded to him,
a copy of which he later handed to the Inspector General of Police.

Similarly, a group calling themselves ‘Defenders of the Revolution’ on the
night of the 13th August 2004 dropped a warning letter to Demba Jawo,
President of the Gambia Press Union, threatening him with death if he
continued to write against you and your government.

Following these incidents, a special meeting of Press Union executives,
media house owners and other senior journalists was held at the Gambia
Press Union secretariat to discuss these latest atrocities against
journalists in this country. The meeting, having reviewed the situation,
and casting their mind back, identified a definite pattern of well
coordinated attacks on the media as exemplified by the following cases of
harassment, intimidation, acts of arsons and attempted murder with impunity:

August 2001

A group of people visited Radio 1 FM at about 3 am, cleared all the people
in the vicinity of the station, attacked both the watchman and the
proprietor and sprayed them with teargas. (The latter eventually sustained
serious injuries and burns on several parts of his body). They poured about
22 litres of diesel fuel on the main doors and set it ablaze.

A few days later

Alieu Bah, a journalist with Radio 1FM, was the target of an attempted
murder when about 3 am the front door of his house was bolted from outside
by a group of people who poured diesel fuel on it and set it ablaze while
he was sleeping with his whole family.

October 2003

A group of people in a green pick up vehicle without number plates visited
The Independent newspaper offices at about 3 am. They attacked the watchman
with an iron bar, sprayed him with teargas, poured some diesel fuel on the
main door and set it on fire.

April 2004

A group of six men armed with guns attacked The Independent printing press
at about 3 am while the workers were busy printing the paper. They
threatened them at gunpoint, poured some diesel fuel on the printing
machine and set it on fire, completely destroying it.

August 2004
A group of people went to Ebrima Sillah’s residence in Jambur at about 3 am
while he was asleep inside. They forced upon a window at his sitting room,
poured diesel fuel in the room and set it on fire. When he heard some
noise, he went to find out only to be confronted with fire and a thick
cloud of smoke. He therefore had to jump through a window in his bedroom in
order to escape. Everything in his house was burnt to ashes.

In view of all these and many other atrocities against journalists of the
private media, the meeting decided with effect from today 16th August 2004
to have a continuous campaign of public sensitization and enlightenment in
order to make your government assert its responsibilities to the hilt and
put an immediate stop to these illegal activities of the so-called ‘Green
Boys’ and ‘Defenders of the Revolution’ against the country’s media and
journalists. Secondly, to henceforth take more convincing steps to bring
the culprits to book.



LOCUST INVASION THREAT STILL REAL
The threat of locust invasion is still real. Swarms of locusts still abound
in northern Senegal, which forms a 1000 kilometre border with Gambia.
According to the National Coordinator of the technical committee dealing
with the threat of invasion resources are being mobilized and efforts
coordinated at the national, divisional, district and village levels to
deal with any impending locust invasion.

He noted that the locusts have the ability to travel anywhere and at any
time. This makes them dangerous, they can invade anywhere at anytime.

If they only pass without settling down then the amount of damage will be
less. However, if they settle down to lay eggs and multiply the effect can
be devastating.

An early warning system is necessary. They must have a good information
network and be able to respond rapidly as time is of the essence.

Mr. Secka points out the need for a regional perspective in dealing with
this problem as it affects a region rather than a particular country.
That’s why they have formed OCALAV. He noted that broad based issues have
to be dealt with including the environmental effects of the chemicals.

According to Mr. Secka, they have 15 teams spread throughout the country
with mobile phones to enable them to communicate with each other. They have
motorcycles provided by NGOs, which they use to sensitize farmers at the
local level, by for example showing them what a locusts looks like. This,
he opined would facilitate early warning.

He revealed that they have received pesticides from Algeria, which he said
was timely. They have some trucks on stand by. This will enable them to
deploy materials rapidly.

On the issue of how effectively they can stop or minimize a locust invasion
if they are timely informed, there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer. It
appears as if less resources than required is available. However Mr. Secka
did say there is a contingency plan for aerial spray.



JAPANESE RICE FOR SALE
Many people are complaining that rice donated to The Gambia by Japan is
being sold to the public. We had published in Issue No. 60 that the
Permanent Secretary of the Department of State for Agriculture had stated
that a gift of rice from Japan was to be sold to the public and the
proceeds utilized for the development of agriculture.

After receiving complaints from the public we got in touch with the
Department of State for Agriculture. A spokesperson explained that the
agreement with the Japanese government is to sell the rice and invest the
proceeds in an agriculture project to be approved by the Japanese
government.

According to CEO of the KMC buyers pay for the rice (which must not be
resold) and are given receipts. The money collected is paid into a special
account for the Department of State for Agriculture. Upon payment of this
amount into the account the equivalent number of bags of rice will be
released to the KMC who will deliver it to the buyers upon production of a
receipt.



The Paul Commission
By Abdoulie G. Dibba & Abdou F.B. Boye
SITTING OF TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2004

Testifying before the Paul Commission. Hon. Samba Bah indicated that
between 1994 to 1998, he was the Director General of the National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) and that between 1998 to December 22, 2000, he
served as Consul in Saudi Arabia and as Head of Chancery. He pointed out
that in 2000, he voluntarily retired and that during that period he was
engaged in The Transport business. SoS Bah pointed out that he cannot
remember his allowance as Director General of the NIA but that his salary
as Director of the NIA was D3,910. He also pointed out that as Consul and
Head of Chancery, he received D18,401.22 and by June 2000, it was
D12,107.97. He indicated that his salary as Secretary of state should be in
his appointment letter, which he promised to supply the commission. Hon.
Bah indicated that he received his pension, which amounted to D1,827.93
before January 2004 and D2,010.72 after January 2004 to date. Continuing
his testimony, Hon. Bah indicated that he started his transport business
with two vehicles. He indicated that he took a loan from Charbell El Hajj
to purchase the two vehicles. He said the first one was D135,000 and the
second was D165,000. He indicated that he used to deposit with CTI, a
company in Bijilo, which deals with the importation of second hand
vehicles. He pointed out that from the proceeds, he bought two additional
vehicles, which made the total number of vehicles the business four. He
said later on, he sold the other two vehicles. He indicated that he
sometimes keeps money with him amounting to D50,000 and D60,000 at a time.
Hon. Bah indicated that MK Stores gave him a loan of D60,000 in bulk and
that when he wanted to buy a vehicle, he was given a loan of D590,000 by
the same MK Stores. He indicated that there was no collateral for these
loans and there was also no interest. He pointed out that he couldn’t
explain that kind of generosity but that they did it for him. He said he
does not know whether any other Gambian can or has enjoyed this generosity
from MK Stores but that he has enjoyed it because he requested it from
them. He indicated that MK Stores engaged in selling textiles and general
merchandise. Hon. Samba Bah indicated that he knew all the people in MK
Stores; that he could not remember when he met them but that he met them in
their shop. He said that he used to go to the shop on a weekly basis to buy
provisions like sugar, oil, butter not for sale but for household use. He
pointed out that he has known them for more than 10 years. In response to a
question as to how much he has bought from MK Stores in Money terms during
the past six years, Hon. Bah pointed out that he couldn’t remember how much
he bought from them during this period. He was asked as to whether there
was any agreement for these loans? Hon. Samba Bah pointed out that there
was an invoice and anytime he makes payments, they give him a receipt. Hon.
Bah pointed out that even though he buys provisions from MK on a weekly
basis, he has never asked for a receipt on these purchases.

Continuing his testimony further, SoS Bah indicated that the D590,000 loan
was used to buy a vehicle; that he bought the vehicle from one Omar Njie in
December 2003. He said he did not pay the amount in full because MK stores
did not give him the whole amount at one go. He indicated that he paid half
the price of the vehicle and was given the vehicle. He said Emkay gave him
a Cheque of D300,000 and then later on another Cheque of D290,000. He
pointed out that the vehicle in question was a Renault. He said he couldn’t
remember the time or interval between the two cheques. He was asked whether
he will surprised to know that Emkay have him the first Cheque and after 20
days, they gave him the second Cheque. In response, SoS Bah said that he
would not be surprised because he cannot speak for MK Stores. Asked again
as to whether any person secured this kind of facility from MK Stores, SoS
Bah said he does not know of any person who can or has secured this kind of
facility from MK. He pointed out that he did not do anything during his
official period as Director of NIA or as Secretary of state that brought
the attention of Emkay to him or vice versa. He pointed out that he asked
for the loan and they agreed to give him the loan under what consideration
he said he does not know. He emphasized that there was no collateral for
these loans. SoS Bah pointed out that he has finished paying the D60,000
loan and is still paying the D590,000. He said other than the loan facility
from MK; he has no other loan facility from any individual or situation.

Continuing his testimony, SoS Bah indicated that he bought BJL 5311 from
the proceeds of the other vehicle plus his gratuity paid to him when he
retired. He indicated that this money was paid at the Continent Bank and
has not spent a butut from it. He indicated that he paid cash in buying the
vehicle and the withdrawal for the purchase will reflect on his bank
statement of account.

SoS Bah indicated that during the period under review, the Continent Bank,
Arab Gambia Islamic Bank and IBC were his bankers. He pointed out that his
salary and pension goes to the Arab Gambia Islamic Bank. He indicated that
his Arab Gambia Islamic Bank was opened in 1998 and the IBC, which is a
savings account, was opened in 1980 and is still alive, SoS Bah posited. At
this stage, the witness was asked to submit his statement of account from
July 1994 to date and that the ones opened after 1999, from the date that
they were opened to date, which the witness agreed to do within 7 days.

Hon. Samba Bah indicated that between 1994 to 2000, he did not receive any
money from anybody whether within the Gambia or outside the Gambia and that
during the period also, he did not receive any gift whether in cash or kind
from anyone as Secretary of State. SoS Bah pointed out that after his
retirement and up to the time of his appointment as Secretary of State, he
was receiving help from his brothers, one son and one daughter who are all
living in London. He said the minimum he received from them is 200 pounds
and the maximum is 500 pounds and that he could remember receiving this
about 5 times. Hon. Bah pointed out that he knew their telephone number but
not their contact addresses. He was at this stage, asked by the commission
to furnish them with their telephone numbers, which he promised to do
within 3 days. In testifying further SoS Bah indicated that he travelled a
lot as Director General of NIA and that he made savings during these trips.
He acknowledged that some of these savings find their way to Continent Bank
and Arab Gambia Islamic Bank. He however indicated that he couldn’t
remember how much it amounted to.

Testifying before the Paul Commission. Hon. Samba Bah indicated that
between 1994 to 1998, he was the Director General of the National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) and that between 1998 to December 22, 2000, he
served as Consul in Saudi Arabia and as Head of Chancery. He pointed out
that in 2000, he voluntarily retired and that during that period he was
engaged in The Transport business. SoS Bah pointed out that he cannot
remember his allowance as Director General of the NIA but that his salary
as Director of the NIA was D3,910. He also pointed out that as Consul and
Head of Chancery, he received D18,401.22 and by June 2000, it was
D12,107.97. He indicated that his salary as Secretary of state should be in
his appointment letter, which he promised to supply the commission. Hon.
Bah indicate that he received his pension, which amounted to D1,827.93
before January 2004 and D2,010.72 after January 2004 to date. Continuing
his testimony, Hon. Bah indicated that he started his transport business
with two vehicles. He indicated that he took a loan from Charbell El Hajj
to purchase the two vehicles. He said the first one was D135,000 and the
second was D165,000. He indicated that he used to deposit with CTI, a
company in Bijilo, which deals with the importation of second hand
vehicles. He pointed out that from the proceeds, he bought two additional
vehicles, which made the total number of vehicle fro the business to four.
He said later on, he sold the other two vehicles. He indicated that he
sometimes keep money with him amounting to D50,000 and D60,000 at a time.
Hon. Bah indicated that Emkay Stores gave him a loan of D60,000 in bulk and
that when he wanted to buy a vehicle, he was given loan of D590,000 by the
same Emkay Stores. He indicated that there was no collateral for these
loans and there was also no interest. He pointed out that he couldn’t
explain that kind of generosity but that they did it for him. He said he
does not know whether any other Gambian can or has enjoyed this generosity
from Emkay stores but that he has enjoyed it because he requested it from
them. He indicated that Emkay engaged in selling textiles and general
merchandise. Hon. Samba Bah indicated that he knew all the people in Emkay
and that he cannot remember when he met them but that he met them in their
shop. He said that he used to go to the shop on a weekly basis to buy
provisions like sugar, oil, butter not for sale but for household use. He
pointed out that he knew them more than 10 years. In response to a question
as to how much he buys from Emkay Stores in Money terms during the past six
years, Hon. Bah pointed out that he couldn’t remember how much he bought
from them during this period. He was asked as to whether there was any
agreement for these loans? Hon. Samba Bah pointed out that there was an
invoice and anytime he makes payments, they give him a receipt. Hon. Bah
pointed out that even though he buys provisions from Emkay Stores on a
weekly basis, he has never asked for a receipt on these purchases.
Continuing his testimony further, SoS Bah indicated that the D59,000 loan
was used to buy a vehicle; that he bought the vehicle from one Omar Njie in
December 2003. He said he did not pay the amount in full because Emkay
stores did not give him the whole amount at one go. He indicated that he
paid half the price of the vehicle and was given the vehicle. He said Emkay
gave him a Cheque of D300,000 and then later on another Cheque of D290,000.
He pointed out that the vehicle in question was a Renault. He said he
couldn’t remember the time or interval between the two cheques. He was
asked whether he will surprised to know that Emkay have him the first
Cheque and after 20 days, they gave him the second Cheque. In response, SoS
Bah said that he would not be surprised because he cannot speak for Emkay.
Asked again as to whether any person secured this kind of facility from
Emkay? In response SoS Bah said he does not know of any person who can or
has secured this kind of facility from Emkay. He pointed out that he did
not anything during his official period as Director of NIA or as Secretary
of state that brings attention of Emkay to him or vice versa. He pointed
out that he asked for the loan and they agreed to give him the loan under
what consideration he said he does not know. He emphasized that there was
no collateral for these loans. SoS Bah pointed out that he has finished
paying the D60,000 loan and is still paying D59,000. He said other than the
loan facility from Emkay; he has no other loan facility from any individual
or situation. Continuing his testimony, SoS Bah indicated that he bought
BJL 5311 from the proceeds of the other vehicle plus his gratuity paid to
him when he retired. He indicated that this money was paid at the Continent
Bank and does not spend a Butut from it. He indicated that he paid cash in
buying the vehicle and the withdrawal for the purchase will reflect on his
bank statement of account. SoS Bah indicated that during the period under
review, the Continent Bank, Arab Gambia Islamic Bank and IBC were his
bankers. He pointed out that his salary and pension goes to the Arab Gambia
Islamic Bank. He indicated that his Arab Gambia Islamic Bank was opened in
1998 and the IBC, which is a savings account, was opened in 1980 and is
still alive, SoS Bah posited. At this stage, the witness was asked to
submit his statement of account from July 1994 to date and that the ones
opened after 1999, from the date that they were opened to date, which the
witness agreed to do within 7 days. Hon. Samba Bah indicated that between
1994 to 2000, he did not receive any money from anybody whether within the
Gambia or outside the Gambia and that during the period also, he did not
receive any gift whether in cash or kind from anyone as Secretary of State.
SoS Bah pointed out that after his retirement and up to the time of his
appointment as Secretary of State, he was receiving help from his brothers,
one son and one daughter who are all living in London. He said the minimum
he received from them is 200 pounds and the maximum is 500 pounds and that
he could remember receiving this about 5 times. Hon. Bah pointed out that
he knew their telephone number but not their contact addresses. He was at
this stage, asked by the commission to furnish them with their telephone
numbers, which he promised to do within 3 days. In testifying further SoS
Bah indicated that he traveled a lot as Director General of NIA and that he
made savings during these trips. He acknowledged that some of these savings
find their way to Continent Bank and Arab Gambia Islamic Bank. He however
indicated that he couldn’t remember how much it amounted to. He was asked
at this stage to supply the commission with his travel per diems as
Director General of NIA within 10 days. SoS Bah also pointed out that when
he was coming from back from Saudi Arabia, he came with 10,000 Riyal’s,
which is equivalent to D40,000. He indicated that he could remember making
lodgment from this amount into his Arab Gambia Islamic Bank. He said other
than this; he was also renting his house in Kotu from May 2004 for D7,000
per month. He indicated that he has no joint account with his wife and that
she cannot withdraw money from his account. He pointed out that his wife’s
money does not come to him and that he could remember when he was in Saudi
Arabia he bought a Sewing Machine for his wife and that’s all. He indicated
that he has only plot allocated to him by government and that the other
one, which is a freehold, in Wellingara, which he bought, is still not
developed. He pointed out that he has never helped his wife acquire a plot
of land either by allocation or purchase. He indicated that the house in
Sukuta is a family house which belongs to his father and that he was living
in that house well before 1994. He said the only work he did in that house
is renovation and that between 1994 to 1998 he only did some painting in
the house. And the only major renovation was in 2003, which cost him
D20,000. He said the house is a three bedroom, two toilets, kitchen and a
storehouse. He indicated that his property in Kotu was allocated to him in
1992 and construction started there off and completed in 1994. He said the
house is a three-bedroom bungalow. He pointed out that from 1994 to 1997 a
Marabout from Mali by the name Alhagi Cherno Jallow was living there but
that he has gone back to Mali. Asked to describe him, he said that the
Marabout is an elderly person. Continuing his testimony further, SoS Bah
pointed out that in 1998 he rented the house to one Italian who paid from
1998 to 2000 and then started defaulting and finally left in 2001. Asked
whether there are records to prove that he finished constructing the house
in 1994, SoS indicated that there are no records but that the construction
of the house was completed in 1994. SoS Samba Bah indicated that after the
allocation of his Kotu plot, he did not apply again for land allocation
because he knew that he was only entitled to one which he already had. He
pointed out that neither his children nor his wife has any other land other
than his own plot. At this stage, he was asked to write down the name of
his children, the schools they attend and the fees he paid per term. SoS
Bah pointed out that he could not remember the schools his children
attended and fees paid per term at that material time. He was given 7 days
by the commission to furnish them with the information. SoS Bah pointed out
that during the period under review he was not responsible for the
Education or maintenance of any person outside the Gambia. He indicated
that Gateway Clearing and Forwarding agency was registered around January
2002 and closed in the same year. He indicated that he could not remember
receiving a letter in respond from the registrar of companies for closing
the agency. He said the agency was not registered for himself per se but
that it was registered for some boys who were not working at that time but
that before the end of the year, he realized that some of them were
employed somewhere else and the rest were not serious with the agency; that
he decided to close it. He pointed out that he is not a shareholder of any
company within or outside the Gambia, and that he has no farm. He said when
he was coming from Saudi Arabia, he bought some furniture from an auction
worth D30,000. On his private vehicle, SoS Bah said he was using a Passat
car, which he bought in 1991. He indicated that he bought a pick-up
Mitsubishi from an auction conducted by the NIA from D10,000 and also an
Isuzu car from Saudi Arabia. As for the one he bought from the NIA, SoS Bah
indicated that he later asked the NIA to change the registration number of
the vehicle since it was well known in the street as an NIA vehicle, which
was done. SoS Bah pointed out that his wife has no car and that he is not
holding any property in trust for anyone. In concluding his testimony. Hon.
Samba Bah pointed out that as Secretary of State, his son Alieu Bah, is
managing his transport business because he (Alieu) has completed school and
is sitting at home doing nothing. He however pointed out that the
arrangement is just temporal.



The next witness with the shortest testimony since the commission started
is Sulayman Masanneh Ceesay. In testifying before the commission, Mr.
Ceesay acknowledged receiving an Asset declaration form, which he filled
and returned to the commission. He pointed out that he was appointed as
Secretary of State for Interior on the 8th of September 2003 and left
office on the 4th May 2004. He indicated that before his appointment as
Secretary of State, he served as Chairman, Public Service Commission from
1994 to 2001 which was a constitutional appointment. He indicated that as
Secretary of State, his salary was D86,000 per annum together with
accommodation allowance of D24,000 and a responsibility allowance of
D46,000 per annum. He pointed out that as Chairman Public Service
Commission, he was not receiving salary but allowance of D48,000 per annum.
Mr. Ceesay indicated that he was renting his property in Kotu between 1994
to 1995 for D30,000 per annum, and that in 2001 he sold the said property
for D600,000. He indicated that in 1996 he got a Gele-Gele vehicle, which
he sold in 2001. Continuing his testimony, Mr. Ceesay indicated that
between 1996 to 2000, the Gele Gele vehicle was able to earn D4,000 per
month but that between 2000 to 2001, it dropped to D1,500 per month and
that was why he decided to sell it since it was more of a liability than an
asset. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that other than these, he has no other source
of income. He pointed out that he has served all the divisions in the
Gambia and could have any kind of land he wanted but that he knows the
problems with land allocations. He indicated that he has no investment in
any company. As to whether he received money from outside, Mr. Ceesay
pointed out that his stepson does send him money during Tobaski and Ramadan
for the family but that these monies never find their way to any Bank
account. He indicated that he has never benefited from any loan as Chairman
of the Public Service Commission or secretary of state for interior. Mr.
Ceesay pointed out that with all frankness, he does not know the salary of
his wives and that he wouldn’t know if they took loans. He however pointed
out that one of them (the wives), when she comes from her conferences will
give him money and ask him to pray for her.  He indicated that she has been
doing this not less than ten times but not more than 15 times and the
smallest amount she gave him was $200 and the maximum $ 500. As to how much
she used to come with from these conferences. Mr. Ceesay indicated that
that he does not delved into the circumstances. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that
he received D1,640 from his pension as permanent secretary and that as
Secretary of State, he made some savings from his per diems. He pointed out
that some of these savings find their way to his current account.
Continuing his testimony further, Mr. Ceesay indicated that during one of
his trips the whole per diem was paid to his account because he was having
some dollars with him. He pointed out that between 1994 to date, he was not
responsible for the education or maintenance of anybody outside the Gambia
because my step son is working and studying. During the period under
review, Mr. Ceesay said, nobody was running a business on his behalf. On
private vehicles, Mr. Ceesay indicated that other than the official
vehicle, he has a BMW car, which was an old car, which he gave to a friend
of his, but then the friend told him that the car is off the road. Mr.
Ceesay indicated that he is now using a Mercedes Benz, which his stepson
bought for the mother. Asked about SMC 1, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that SMC 1
is X-Trail car, which belongs to his wife. He indicated that the wife used
his initial out of love but that he did not contribute a penny. At this
stage, he was asked to furnish the Commission with the receipt and the
first insurance of SMC 1, which he promised to do within 7 days. On jewelry
for his wives, shoes, etc, he pointed out that he spent 300 pounds per trip
on them. On land, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that between 1994 to date, he did
not apply for land allocation and that no offer was made to him. He
indicated that he started the construction of his Fajara M Section property
in 1975 and moved in 1978. He indicated that at the beginning of 2003, he
added an apartment of a three bedroom bungalow, which took him one year to
finish. He pointed out that he completed the construction work but no
finishing has taken place yet. Moving towards the end of his testimony, Mr.
Ceesay indicated that between 1994 to date, he only banked with Trust Bank.
He pointed out that he ceased to have an account with the Standard
Chartered Bank around 1991 to 1992. At this stage, he was asked to supply
the commission with the statement of account from Trust Bank from July 1994
to date and that of Standard Chartered Bank from the date it was opened to
the date it was closed within 10 days. Mr. Ceesay indicated that the
additional apartment at his Fajara M Section property cost about D250,000
and that other than his Fajara M Section property unfortunately he said,
there is no land that one can point at and say it belongs to him. He
indicated that between 1994 to date, he was not responsible for paying
school fees because none of his children was at school at that time. In
concluding his testimony, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he has no joint
account with his wives and that he cannot withdraw from their accounts and
that they too cannot withdraw from his account. Mr. Ceesay concluded by
saying that he has no foreign account, no farm and no business.

He was asked at this stage to supply the commission with his travel per
diem as Director General of NIA within 10 days. SoS Bah also pointed out
that when he was coming from back from Saudi Arabia, he came with 10,000
Riyal’s, which is equivalent to D40,000. He indicated that he could
remember making lodgment from this amount into his Arab Gambia Islamic
Bank. He said other than this; he was also renting his house in Kotu from
May 2004 for D7,000 per month. He indicated that he has no joint account
with his wife and that she cannot withdraw money from his account. He
pointed out that his wife’s money does not come to him and that he could
remember when he was in Saudi Arabia he bought a Sewing Machine for his
wife and that’s all. He indicated that he has only one plot allocated to
him by government and that the other one, which is a freehold, in
Wellingara, which he bought, is still not developed. He pointed out that he
has never helped his wife acquire a plot of land either by allocation or
purchase. He indicated that the house in Sukuta is a family house which
belongs to his father and that he was living in that house well before
1994. He said the only work he did in that house is renovation and that
between 1994 to 1998 he only did some painting in the house. And the only
major renovation was in 2003, which cost him D20,000. He said the house is
a three bedroom house with two toilets, a kitchen and a storehouse. He
indicated that his property in Kotu was allocated to him in 1992 and
construction started thereafter and completed in 1994. He said the house is
a three-bedroom bungalow. He pointed out that from 1994 to 1997 a Marabout
from Mali by the name Alhagi Cherno Jallow was living there but that he has
gone back to Mali. Asked to describe him, he said that the Marabout is an
elderly person.

Continuing his testimony further, SoS Bah pointed out that in 1998 he
rented the house to one Italian who paid from 1998 to 2000 and then started
defaulting and finally left in 2001. Asked whether there are records to
prove that he finished constructing the house in 1994, SoS indicated that
there are no records but that the construction of the house was completed
in 1994. SoS Samba Bah indicated that after the allocation of his Kotu
plot, he did not apply again for land allocation because he knew that he
was only entitled to one which he already had.

He pointed out that neither his children nor his wife has any other land
other than his own plot. At this stage, he was asked to write down the name
of his children, the schools they attend and the fees he paid per term. SoS
Bah pointed out that he could not remember the schools his children
attended and fees paid per term at that material time. He was given 7 days
by the commission to furnish them with the information. SoS Bah pointed out
that during the period under review he was not responsible for the
Education or maintenance of any person outside the Gambia.

He indicated that Gateway Clearing and Forwarding agency was registered
around January 2002 and closed in the same year. He indicated that he could
not remember receiving a letter in response from the registrar of companies
for closing the agency. He said the agency was not registered for himself
per se but that it was registered for some boys who were not working at
that time; that before the end of the year, he realized that some of them
were employed somewhere else and the rest were not serious with the agency
and he decided to close it. He pointed out that he is not a shareholder of
any company within or outside the Gambia, and that he has no farm. He said
when he was coming from Saudi Arabia; he bought some furniture from an
auction worth D30, 000. On his private vehicle, SoS Bah said he was using a
Passat car, which he bought in 1991. He indicated that he bought a pick-up
Mitsubishi from an auction conducted by the NIA for D10, 000 and also an
Isuzu car from Saudi Arabia. As for the one he bought from the NIA, SoS Bah
indicated that he later asked the NIA to change the registration number of
the vehicle since it was well known in the street as an NIA vehicle, which
was done. SoS Bah pointed out that his wife has no car and that he is not
holding any property in trust for anyone. In concluding his testimony, Hon.
Samba Bah pointed out that as Secretary of State, his son Alieu Bah, is
managing his transport business because he (Alieu) has completed school and
is sitting at home doing nothing. He however pointed out that the
arrangement is just temporal.



Sulayman Masaneh Ceesay
The next witness with the shortest testimony since the commission started
is Sulayman Masaneh Ceesay. In testifying before the commission, Mr. Ceesay
acknowledged receiving an Assets declaration form, which he filled and
returned to the commission. He pointed out that he was appointed as
Secretary of State for the Interior on the 8th of September 2003 and left
office on the 4th May 2004. He indicated that before his appointment as
Secretary of State, he served as Chairman, Public Service Commission from
1994 to 2001 which was a constitutional appointment. He indicated that as
Secretary of State, his salary was D86,000 per annum together with
accommodation allowance of D24,000 and a responsibility allowance of
D46,000 per annum. He pointed out that as Chairman Public Service
Commission, he was not receiving salary but allowance of D48,000 per annum.
Mr. Ceesay indicated that he was renting his property in Kotu between 1994
to 1995 for D30,000 per annum, and that in 2001 he sold the said property
for D600,000. He indicated that in 1996 he got a Gele-Gele vehicle, which
he sold in 2001. Continuing his testimony, Mr. Ceesay indicated that
between 1996 to 2000, the Gele Gele vehicle was able to earn D4,000 per
month but that between 2000 to 2001, it dropped to D1,500 per month and
that was why he decided to sell it since it was more of a liability than an
asset. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that other than these, he has no other source
of income. He pointed out that he has served in all the divisions in the
Gambia and could have any kind of land he wanted but that he knows the
problems with land allocations. He indicated that he has no investment in
any company. As to whether he received money from outside, Mr. Ceesay
pointed out that his step son does send him money during Tobaski and
Ramadan for the family but that these monies never find their way to any
Bank account. He indicated that he has never benefited from any loan as
Chairman of the Public Service Commission or secretary of state for the
interior. Mr. Ceesay pointed out that with all frankness, he does not know
the salary of his wives and that he wouldn’t know if they took loans. He
however pointed out that one of them (the wives), when she comes from her
conferences will give him money and ask him to pray for her.  He indicated
that she has been doing this for not less than ten times but not more than
15 times and the smallest amount she gave him was $200 and the maximum $
500. As to how much she used to come with from these conferences, Mr.
Ceesay indicated that that he does not delve into the circumstances.

Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he received D1,640 from his pension as
permanent secretary and that as Secretary of State, he made some savings
from his per diem. He pointed out that some of these savings find their way
to his current account. Continuing his testimony further, Mr. Ceesay
indicated that during one of his trips the whole per diem was paid to his
account because he was having some dollars with him.

He pointed out that between 1994 to date, he was not responsible for the
education or maintenance of anybody outside the Gambia because his step son
is working and studying. During the period under review, Mr. Ceesay said,
nobody was running a business on his behalf. On private vehicles, Mr.
Ceesay indicated that other than the official vehicle, he has a BMW car,
which was an old car, which he gave to a friend of his, but then the friend
told him that the car is off the road. Mr. Ceesay indicated that he is now
using a Mercedes Benz, which his stepson bought for the mother. Asked about
SMC 1, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that SMC 1 is X-Trail car, which belongs to
his wife. He indicated that the wife used his initial out of love but that
he did not contribute a penny. At this stage, he was asked to furnish the
Commission with the receipt and the first insurance of SMC 1, which he
promised to do within 7 days. On jewelry for his wives, shoes, etc, he
pointed out that he spent 300 pounds per trip on them. On land, Mr. Ceesay
pointed out that between 1994 to date, he did not apply for land allocation
and that no offer was made to him. He indicated that he started the
construction of his Fajara M Section property in 1975 and moved in 1978. He
indicated that at the beginning of 2003, he added an apartment of a three
bedroom bungalow, which took him one year to finish. He pointed out that he
completed the construction work but no finishing has taken place yet.
Moving towards the end of his testimony, Mr. Ceesay indicated that between
1994 to date, he only banked with Trust Bank. He pointed out that he ceased
to have an account with the Standard Chartered Bank around 1991 to 1992. At
this stage, he was asked to supply the commission with the statement of
account from Trust Bank from July 1994 to date and that of Standard
Chartered Bank from the date it was opened to the date it was closed within
10 days. Mr. Ceesay indicated that the additional apartment at his Fajara M
Section property cost about D250,000 and that other than his Fajara M
Section property unfortunately he said, there is no land that one can point
at and say it belongs to him. He indicated that between 1994 to date, he
was not responsible for paying school fees because none of his children was
at school at that time.

In concluding his testimony, Mr. Ceesay pointed out that he has no joint
account with his wives and that he cannot withdraw from their accounts and
that they too cannot withdraw from his account. Mr. Ceesay concluded by
saying that he has no foreign account, no farm and no business.

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