By Makutu Manneh
Seedou Touray, the former Chief Executive Officer of Kerewan Area Council, has admitted before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday that he did not follow due financial procedures during his tenure.
Touray made the admission when he was quizzed by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez on why he authorized withdrawals, deposits, and purchases without adhering to standard protocols. When asked to explain his actions, Touray remained silent.
“There was no threshold at the council level regarding the CEO’s spending authority,” he told the commission.
“It was at the discretion of the CEO, in consultation with the finance committee.”
Touray maintained that he informed the finance committee of expenditures during meetings and that the minutes of those meetings exist. The commission instructed him to provide those records.
Unilateral Decision-Making
Gomez confronted Touray with allegations that he exercised sole discretion over council expenditures.
“You didn’t seek permission,” Gomez said. “You had the sole authority to approve spending. That is a fact. You were signing cheques and making large withdrawals. Were these unilateral decisions, or were they made in consultation with the chairman or finance director?”
Touray responded that the chairman was aware of most transactions because he reported them directly to him.
“I would go to his office and inform him about ongoing activities,” he said, though he admitted he had no witnesses to confirm these discussions.
Gomez reminded Touray that the council’s financial manual requires expenditure decisions to involve multiple officials—including the CEO, chairman, mayor or mayoress, and the general council. The manual also mandates spending limits for different levels of authority.
Touray acknowledged his awareness of these rules but agreed that he had failed to follow them.
Deposits Into Personal Accounts
The inquiry also raised concerns about multiple deposits made into Touray’s personal bank account by council staff, including Babou Ndure, a market master. Records presented at the hearing showed deposits ranging from D5,000 to D50,000 between April 2019 and July 2020. Other staff members, including Omar Sonko and Lamin Jammeh, also made deposits into Touray’s account.
Touray insisted that these were his personal funds.
“I have my own business,” he told the commission.
Gomez challenged this claim.
“You have been unable to provide proof of these funds’ origins,” he said. “You were in charge of public money as CEO. If you have evidence, we would welcome it.”
Touray said he lost documents in a house fire.
“Had my house not burned down, I would have provided all the necessary records,” he said.
Overdrafts Without Council Approval
The commission also scrutinized overdrafts Touray secured from financial institutions on behalf of the council. When asked how many overdrafts he had taken, Touray said he could not recall. The commission ordered him to provide details.
Touray explained that the finance committee was informed of overdraft applications and that the general council was “aware” of them. However, Gomez pointed out that committees do not have decision-making power and can only make recommendations.
“So, you relied on committee recommendations as final decisions, even without formal council approval?” Gomez asked.
Touray admitted he had no official approval from the council but argued that the process was supported at the council level. He was instructed to submit minutes or records proving the overdrafts were discussed and approved.
Salary Increases and Allowances
Touray also confirmed that salaries for council employees increased annually.
“Every year, salaries increased from one grade point to another,” he said, adding that this was in line with the integrated pay scale system.
The commission ordered him to submit records detailing all salary and allowance increases during his tenure.
The inquiry into the financial mismanagement at Kerewan Area Council is ongoing.
