The Gambia Government has accepted the findings and recommendations of the Janneh Commission of Inquiry on Mr Momodou O.S Badjie former Managing Director of GNPC, Mr Edward Graham former Managing Director of Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation and Mr Abdoulie Cham former Director of Finance and Investment of the aforesaid Corporation. The Government’s decision is contained in its White Paper issued to journalists by the State Law Office. See the Government’s position below.
Momodou O.S. Badjie
Mr Momodou O.S. Badjie started his public service career as a Senior Internal Auditor at Gamtel. He subsequently became the Director of Finance at the National Roads Authority until 2008, and then Managing Director of GNPC from January 2008 to June 2016 when he was dismissed and reinstated back at GNPC in June 2017.
The Commission found, inter alia, that Mr Badjie as Managing Director at GNPC was involved in cash withdrawals of $250,000 and $243,243.25 from GNPC accounts that were paid to former President Jammeh without Board approval.
The Government accepts the findings of the Commission in so far they relate to Mr Momodou Badjie. Accordingly, the Government accepts the recommendations of the Commission that Mr Momodou Badjie and former President are jointly and severally liable for these withdrawals without Board approval.
Consequently, the Government accepts the Commission’s recommendation that Mr Momodou O.S. Badjie should be banned, and Mr Momodou O.S. Badjie is hereby banned, from holding public office or holding any director positions in any State Owned Enterprises in The Gambia for five years from the date of publication of this White Paper. The monies shall be recovered from the assets of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Edward Graham
Mr Edward Graham’s career at Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) started in 1982 when he joined the Corporation as an Accounting Assistant. He served in various other positions within the Corporation ultimately rising, in 2012, as Managing Director from August 2012 to March 2017.
The Commission found, inter alias, that during Mr Graham’s tenure as managing Director SSHFC, loans were granted from Social Security Funds at the request of OP some of which the Commission found did not qualify investments, and some without Board approval. For instance, he authorized the payment of D15 million from the Injuries Compensation Fund as loan to former President Jammeh for the purchase of Tobaski rams without Board approval; neither was Board approval obtained for the loan agreement with OP for the acquisition of a State aircraft.
The Government accepts the findings of the Commission in so far as they relate to MR Edward Graham. Consequently, the Government accepts the recommendation of the Commission that Mr Edward Graham should be banned, and Mr Edward Graham is hereby banned, from serving on the Board of Public Enterprises or as a Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer for fifteen (15) years from the date of publication of this White Paper. The monies shall be recovered from the assets of former President Jammeh.
Abdoulie Cham
Mr Abdoulie Cham is the Director of Finance and Investment at the SSHFC.
The Commission found, inter alia, Mr Cham served as Finance Director during the period when most of the irregular and/or unlawful loans were granted by SSHFC to former President Jammeh. The Commission found that as Director of Finance and Investment, Mr Cham failed to demonstrate vigilance and rigor in protecting pensioners’ fund considering that he was responsible for SSHFC’s investment portfolio. The Commission found that although the Managing Directors changed at various periods, Mr Cham however remained in his role over the period and owed a duty of care which was not apparent in the manner he performed his job.
The Government accepts the findings of the Commission in so far as they relate to Mr Abdoulie Cham. Consequently, the Government accepts the Commission’s recommendation that Mr Abdoulie Cham’s services at SSHFC be terminated. It is hereby ordered that Mr Abdoulie Cham’s services at SSHFC be terminated with immediate effect.
