By MakutuManneh
EbrimaJatta, a revenue collector for the Brikama Area Council, has admitted to the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that he used council revenue to repair his motorbike without authorization.
Jatta confessed he was never given permission by management to use collected funds for the repairs but claimed it was the only way to fix his motorbike. Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez confronted Jatta with evidence that on August 26th, 2021, he collected Nineteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Dalasi but deposited only Fourteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Dalasi.
When questioned about the discrepancy, Jatta stated he used the balance for motorbike maintenance.
“Nobody authorized me, but that is the only way I have to repair my motorbike,” he said.
Jatta defended his actions, stating the motorbike needed to be fixed, but Counsel Gomez emphasized that his job was to collect and deposit revenue, not to spend it. Gomez questioned the validity of Jatta’s receipts, pointing out inconsistencies in dates, suggesting that Jatta had already spent money before collecting it.
Further scrutiny revealed that on March 8th, 2022, Jatta collected Forty-two Thousand, Eight Hundred Dalasi but deposited only Thirty-nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-five Dalasi. Jatta again cited motorbike repairs as the reason for the shortfall, presenting a receipt dated February 16th, 2022.
“You are not a smart thief at all. Is it that every month your motorbike has a breakdown?” Gomez challenged. Jatta insisted he wasn’t stealing, attributing the repairs to the motorbike’s age.
Counsel Gomez highlighted additional instances of missing funds; April 14th, 2022: Jatta collected Twenty-five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty Dalasi, deposited Twenty-four Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Dalasi. On June 2nd, 2022: he collected Thirty-four Thousand and One Hundred Dalasi, and deposited Thirty-three Thousand and Two Hundred and Seventy Dalasi. On July 27th, 2022: he collected Five Thousand Dalasi, and deposited Four Thousand and Seven Hundred Dalasi.
Jatta admitted to using the funds for repairs each time, acknowledging it as an unlawful expenditure. He conceded that his actions opened the door to fraud and took responsibility for the expenditures.
