By Yankuba Jallow
In a pivotal session before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on August 4, 2025, key figures from the Brikama Area Council (BAC) faced tough questioning about alleged financial mismanagement, including the controversial sale of council assets at suspiciously low prices. Modou Jonga, the former Chief Executive Officer of BAC, who now works with the Banjul City Council, and Sheriffo Sonko, the former chairman of the Council during 2018, were called to testify before the commission. Both men were questioned on various financial practices and decisions under their leadership, including discrepancies in financial reporting, improper auction procedures, and the sale of vehicles and machinery at prices far below their assessed value.
The session was led by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez, who grilled the witnesses about missing financial documentation, undervalued asset sales, and significant lapses in oversight and accountability. Throughout the inquiry, the witnesses struggled to provide clear explanations or evidence regarding many of the transactions under scrutiny.
Chairperson Ajaratou Jainaba Bah opened the questioning by highlighting an alarming audit finding from 2020 and 2021. According to the audit records, there was an understatement of revenue amounting to D9,312,722.72, a significant discrepancy that raised questions about the council’s financial transparency during Jonga’s tenure as CEO.
Chairperson Bah: “Mr. Jonga, there was an understatement of revenue to the tune of D9,312,722.72, which is contained in the audit records from 2020 and 2021. Was this issue resolved before your departure?”
Jonga: “Yes, well before I left, it was resolved. I believe we even took the issue to FPAC (the Finance and Public Accounts Committee) of the National Assembly for clarification. I don’t have the exact details at the moment.”
When pressed for proof, Jonga promised to provide documentation from the National Audit Office to substantiate his claims, a promise that left the commission seeking further clarification.
The conversation quickly shifted to other financial irregularities, including payments made without proper documentation. An amount of D1,301,500 was identified in the audit as being spent without adequate supporting paperwork, raising further concerns about the council’s ability to justify its expenditures.
Chairperson Bah: “The audit indicated payments made without supporting documents. Can you confirm that these payments were legitimate?”
Jonga: “I would need to go through the audit report to provide a proper response. I haven’t seen the specific details.”
Jonga’s lack of familiarity with the specifics of the audit report added to the growing concerns about the council’s internal controls and the overall lack of due diligence in financial matters.
A key point of contention was the sale of vehicles and machinery from the council’s fleet, including tractors, vehicles, and other items. Jonga and Sonko were asked to account for how these items were sold for far less than their estimated value. In particular, it was revealed that tractors were sold for just D10,000 each—far below their market value.
Gomez: “Mr. Jonga, two tractors were sold for D10,000 each. How do you justify that price?”
Jonga: “It’s questionable. It’s not the right amount for a scrap tractor. There should have been a detailed technical report to explain why certain items were sold at such prices.”
The auction, which took place in 2020, generated D1,299,600, with payments received in installments. However, there were serious discrepancies regarding the handling of the funds. According to the investigation report, the expected amount from the auction was D1,229,600, yet the actual payment received was D1,126,100. A balance of D103,500 remained unpaid as of January 28, 2020, raising further doubts about the transparency of the entire process.
Gomez confronted Jonga about the auction procedure, particularly why certain vehicles were sold for amounts far below their assessed value.
Gomez: “You sold BAC 3, BAC 4, and BAC 7 for D10,000 each, while the valuation reports suggested they should be sold for much more. Why did this happen?”
Jonga: “Well, there were instances where some vehicles were sold above the valuation price. But yes, some were sold below the recommended prices, and I honestly don’t have a clear answer for that.”
Jonga’s explanation for the discrepancies was unsatisfactory, as he continued to insist that the valuation reports were sufficient, despite the absence of a comprehensive technical assessment.
One of the most concerning aspects of the testimony was the lack of oversight regarding the auction process. Jonga and Sonko were asked whether they had conducted adequate reviews of the auction, including whether the sale prices were justified. Both men admitted that they had failed to question why certain items were sold at prices well below their assessed values.
Gomez: “Why did you not question the sale prices, especially when you could clearly see that the tractors and other items were being sold for far less than their actual worth?”
Jonga: “It was an oversight. I didn’t have a reason for not questioning it.”
Gomez, visibly frustrated by the lack of accountability, pointed out that Jonga, as the CEO, had a responsibility to ensure the auction process was transparent and that the prices were justified.
Gomez: “You’ve been in public service for many years. You’re not a newcomer to these processes. Why would you let such an important issue pass without scrutiny?”
Jonga: “Well, it was an oversight. I’m human too, and I didn’t question it at the time.”
The lack of a technical report on the condition of the vehicles, as well as the failure to follow proper procurement procedures, were recurring themes throughout the questioning. Gomez noted that without proper documentation or justification, it was impossible to ascertain whether the funds generated from the auction were properly accounted for.
The discrepancies in vehicle valuations were compounded by Jonga’s contradictory statements about the condition of the vehicles. When asked why the tractors were sold at such low prices, Jonga claimed that some parts of the vehicles had been removed and swapped between different models.
Jonga: “The vehicles were essentially scraps. Some engines and parts were moved from one vehicle to another.”
However, when pressed for evidence to support this claim, Jonga admitted that there was no formal report detailing the condition of the vehicles.
Gomez: “So, why didn’t you have a technical report to explain this? This is a basic requirement for any asset sale.”
Jonga: “It was an oversight. I didn’t think a technical report was necessary at the time. I relied on the valuation report.”
Gomez’s questioning continued to expose the lack of due diligence in the auction process. Despite acknowledging the undervaluation of assets, Jonga and Sonko could not provide a satisfactory explanation for why these issues were not addressed at the time.
As the inquiry progresses, the Commission has demanded that Jonga and Sonko provide further documentation, including bank statements and receipts, to prove that the proceeds from the auction were properly deposited and accounted for. The commission also seeks clarification on the expenditure of the D103,500 balance that was left unpaid from the auction proceeds.
The Commission’s investigation into the financial and administrative activities of the Brikama Area Council is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and accountability in local government operations.
