By: Kebba AF Touray
Haddy Dandeh Jabbi, a legal practitioner, has categorically denied any involvement in securing bail for Aurimas Steiblys, a man allegedly linked to the controversial petroleum product transaction in The Gambia.
Jabbi made the clarification during her appearance before the joint committee of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) and the Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) of the National Assembly, which is currently investigating the petroleum scandal.
When questioned by the joint committee on whether she was aware of Aurimas’ arrest, Madam Jabbi responded in the affirmative but noted that she could not recall the month of the arrest.
Asked about the circumstances surrounding the arrest, she told the committee, “I don’t remember.”
According to her, she learned of Aurimas’ arrest through a phone call from one Ebrima Jabbi, who informed her that Aurimas had been detained and was requesting legal assistance for bail.
“I was told that as a lawyer, I could help secure his bail,” she said, adding that although she made a phone call to a police officer, she was informed that Aurimas would not be released as it was a weekend.
She emphasized that she did not visit the police station that day, and later forgot about the matter. “At some point, he was released,” she added.
When asked whether she eventually visited the police station, Jabbi admitted that she did so the following week, after Aurimas had already been granted bail.
“Does this mean you played no role in his bail?” a committee member asked.
“No,” she replied firmly.
The committee also asked whether she had inquired about the reason for Aurimas’ arrest. Jabbi said she did not, explaining that he had already been released at that time, and there was no longer any reason to pursue the matter.
At one point, the committee reminded Jabbi that she was the company secretary, a role she denied holding at the time of the incident.
“Did you know that Aurimas was cautioned by the police?” she was asked.
“No,” she replied, but the committee interjected, stating that records show Aurimas was indeed cautioned and then released.
The committee requested that Madam Jabbi provide the contact details of Ebrima Jabbi.
In her closing statement, she clarified that by the time she engaged with Apogee Gambia Limited, or even became a shareholder of Apogee FZE, the petroleum matter had already been dealt with, and she had no part in it.
