By Makutu Manneh
A senior official at Kuntaur Area Council has admitted receiving a bribe on behalf of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Momodou Sambou.
Lamin Kujabi, the council’s Director of Planning and Development, told the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that he collected D50,000 from contractor Lamin Y.F.A. Mboge on the instructions of CEO Sambou and Procurement Officer Mamadi Camara.
His admission follows testimony from Mr. Mboge, who told the Commission on 3rd February 2025 that he paid a total bribe of D100,000 after being awarded a borehole drilling contract. He alleged that the officials of the said council had demanded D150,000 but he gave them D100,000.
However, appearing before the commission on 11 February, CEO Sambou denied ever requesting or receiving a bribe. He said that if Mr. Mboge had not made the allegations before the Commission, he would have taken legal action against him.
‘I Was Told to Collect the Money,’ he said.
Testifying on Tuesday, Mr. Kujabi said he was instructed to collect the bribe from Mr. Mboge.
“When I met with Mboge, he told me he had a meeting with these people, and they committed him to 40%,” he said. “I told him, ‘Why should you allow this, knowing you are contracted to provide a service to the community?”
According to Mr. Kujabi, Mr. Mboge replied that he had no choice but to comply, as officials had pressured him even on previous projects, inflating costs and making excessive claims.
After collecting the money, Mr. Kujabi said he reported back to CEO Sambou, who directed him to distribute it: D20,000 to Finance Director Morro Keita, D20,000 to himself (Kujabi) and D10,000 to Procurement Officer Mamadi Camara.
When questioned by Commission Counsel Gomez, Mr. Kujabi agreed that the remaining D50,000 was likely handed to CEO Sambou.
“What Mr. Mboge said is that when he withdrew the money, he gave the guy D50,000,” he confirmed.
The Commission continues to hear testimony as it investigates financial and administrative operations of the Kuntaur Area Council.
