By Kebba AF Touray
The Director of Lands and Survey at the Ministry of Lands, Dawda Fatty, appeared before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on Monday, 20 October 2025, to testify on the ongoing inquiry into the assets of former President Yahya AJJ Jammeh.
Mr. Fatty’s testimony forms part of a parliamentary investigation into the disposal and sale of properties linked to the former president, as identified by the Janneh Commission. Summoned by the committee, Mr. Fatty provided a statement and supporting documents, which were marked as DF1A (statement), DF1 (documents), and DF2 (appearance).
With a career spanning 30 years in the department, Mr. Fatty recounted his journey from joining the service in May 1996 after completing his primary and secondary education, followed by professional training in geo-information systems in Kenya and Japan. He outlined the core mandate of the Lands and Survey Directorate, which includes surveying, mapping, land and property valuation, and processing leases and assignments.
Lead Counsel Aji Saine Kah questioned Mr. Fatty on his tenure and experience, to which he confirmed his appointment as Director in June 2023. When asked about his knowledge of the High Court’s 2017 freezing order on Jammeh’s assets—including land, vehicles, and livestock—Mr. Fatty acknowledged awareness of the suit, though he was out of the country at the time.
Pressed on the department’s role in compiling a list of over 130 properties linked to Jammeh, Mr. Fatty stated, “No. I cannot remember. This is the first time I am seeing this High Court Order but I heard about it.” He identified Bunja Sanneh and retired director Kebba Ceesay as officials from the department who supported the Janneh Commission.
Mr. Fatty noted that the department often provides technical and valuation support, and that valuation reports from the period in question should be on file. The committee requested that these reports be submitted by Friday, a commitment Mr. Fatty accepted.
On the process of mortgaging or selling land, Mr. Fatty explained that requests are made to the Ministry or department, which then conducts valuations based on lease documents and on-site assessments. He described how the department calculates land and property value before sale or assignment.
Lead Counsel Kah referenced a total of 288 properties identified nationwide by the Commission of Empire, with various recommendations made regarding their disposition. Mr. Fatty confirmed that the department published the Commission’s report and played a role in implementing government directives following the issuance of a white paper—including the reassignment or cancellation of property titles.
Mr. Fatty clarified that some properties forfeited to the state were reassigned following ministerial instructions. “We received instructions from the Ministry to process certain applications for consent for assignment,” he said, specifying that such directives typically come from the Minister of Lands.
He estimated that of the properties reviewed, about 75 were leased, but not all of these leases had been cancelled to date.
The committee’s inquiry into former President Jammeh’s assets continues, as parliament seeks clarity on the management and disposition of properties seized in the aftermath of the Janneh Commission’s findings.
