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Published on 2024-03-22 09:38:00
Minister Hamat Bah has firmly denied the allegations that he purchased cattle belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh. These claims surfaced in a recent report by investigative journal, The Republic, which detailed how approximately 700 cattle were disposed of. Speculations have circulated for years that Minister Bah, who comes from a family with a history of cattle herding, acquired a significant number of Jammeh’s cattle at heavily discounted prices.
In response to inquiries from The Republic, Minister Bah emphatically stated that he did not purchase any assets belonging to the former president. He made it clear that he intentionally avoided buying anything from Jammeh’s properties, stating, “No one in this world will provide you with any evidence of my purchase of any of Yahya Jammeh’s properties. I am making it abundantly clear that I did not buy anything from Yahya Jammeh’s assets.”
Almameh Gibba, a parliamentarian representing Jammeh’s native constituency of Fôni Kansala, has urged the attorney general to provide a detailed account of Jammeh’s assets, including the disposed cattle, the buyers, and the transaction amounts. Attorney General Dawda Jallow revealed that the cattle were sold by the sheriff of the high court. However, the report on the sale of the 725 cattle for D8.3 million did not specify the names of the buyers.
The current sheriff, who oversaw the sale, is now a high court judge but declined to comment on the matter. The lack of transparency surrounding the sale of Jammeh’s assets, including the cattle, has raised concerns and prompted calls for a more thorough investigation into the transactions.
As the controversy continues to unfold, questions remain about the handling of Jammeh’s assets and whether any individuals, including Minister Bah, may have benefitted from the sale of the cattle. The call for accountability and transparency in the management of public assets, especially those belonging to a former dictator, is crucial in upholding justice and ensuring that such resources are properly accounted for and used for the benefit of the Gambian people.
It is imperative that all parties involved in the sale of Jammeh’s assets, including the cattle in question, cooperate fully with investigations to shed light on any potential irregularities or misconduct. The Republic’s report has sparked a renewed interest in the accountability of public officials and the need for transparency in all transactions involving public assets. Only through thorough scrutiny and adherence to the rule of law can the truth be uncovered and justice served for the people of The Gambia.
Read the original article on The Standard
