By Makutu Manneh
Despite being commended for depositing most of his 2021 revenue collections at the bank, witness Lamin A. Bojang was unable to account for the instances where there were variances in his revenue collections and bank deposit slips.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez informed witness Bojang that in the second quarter report of the Internal Audit of Brikama Area Council, it is indicated that he made a collection of three hundred and forty-six thousand, seven hundred Dalasi, but had a shortage of twenty thousand Dalasi from 1st April 2022 to 7 June 2022.
“I never knew about this report until the day I was called by the Commission’s investigators. This was a surprise to me because I was never written to or informed about this suppression,” the witness said, adding that together with the Commission’s investigators, they have searched for this particular information from the auditors, but it could not be traced in his cashbook.
When asked by Counsel Gomez if there were instances when his deposits and collections were not the same, the witness responded in the positive and said sometimes the revenue he collects and what the print out will show, will be different.
Counsel Gomez asked him why that happens, and the witness said this is due to when there is cancellation in a transaction.
“Sometimes when you send your information already and the transaction is cancelled, you have to call the IT office to cancel the same. But if this is not done, it will still reflect in your collection,” the witness said.
The witness added that sometimes when printing their receipts, the machine will freeze and they will not be able to print it out. It was further put to him that on the 10th of February 2021, he collected seventeen thousand, twenty-five Dalasi.
“I want you to tell us if this amount was paid to the cashier or deposited at the bank because there are no bank slips to show it,” Counsel Gomez asked.
The witness in response said maybe by this time, they have not started depositing in the Bank, saying that he cannot remember the month they started depositing at the bank.
About another amount of eleven thousand, six hundred Dalasi collection he did on 23rd of December 2021 which deposit slip he does not have, witness Bojang informed the commission that he has a deposit slip for this transaction from Vista Bank.
Counsel Gomez told him that the deposit slip he is showing to the commission is for three thousand, nine hundred and seventy Dalasi, instead of eleven thousand, six hundred Dalasi. “So why the differences,” Counsel Gomez asked.
“I cannot tell. I do not know how this came about because I never remembered such,” the witness responded.
Counsel Gomez again asked the witness if he had used the money for his personal use. Witness Bojang responded in the negative and said: “No. I have never done that”.
Counsel Gomez told him that in another instance on the 4th of October 2021, he had a GTR for two thousand, four hundred and eighty Dalasi, without a bank slip to show that it was deposited, because the commission cannot find the money within the Council’s account.
“I do not know how this came about,” the witness responded.
Sitting continues.
