Sources have informed TAT that the Gambian police have finally produced a report on the alleged D11 million bribery of staff of the Central Bank of the Gambia (CBG), first reported by TAT on 16 February 2022.
A source within the CBG has confirmed to TAT the existence of the police’s final report.
According to information received in their report, the police are now saying that four Gambian nationals have been found wanting for involvement in the alleged crime.
“The case is now at the prosecution level for possible criminal prosecution. Four people, all not Central Bank staff, are found to be guilty of committing fraud. The findings of the police is that none of the mentioned Central Bank staff are connected to this fraud,” Police Public Relations Officer Binta Njie told TAT.
She added: “The suspects posed as Central Bank staff. Two suspects are Gambians, and one is said to be a Gambian Lebanese and the other a Gambian Senegalese.”
The police report came after a probe following the TAT story, which was based on information received and contained in a letter written by Solie Chambers to the management of the CBG.
The TAT story reported the claim made by a law firm’s client that D11 million in bribery money was given to the staff of the CBG.
The firm’s complainant further claimed that old, mutilated banknotes of D155 million were on 21 March 2021 deposited at the CBG in Banjul.
According to the law firm’s letter citing the claim made by its client, the alleged bribe to staff was to facilitate the replacement of the tattered banknotes with good banknotes fit for release and public circulation in the market.
At the time, TAT followed up, and our sources reported that the CBG management had launched an internal investigation, whereas the police also embarked on a probe.
Meanwhile, the CBG top management repeatedly denied the allegation, and the governor declared that he would resign if true.
Consequently, the CBG issued a report blaming the two senior officials for negligence, which subsequently saw the departure of the 1st and 2nd deputy governors.
The police, for their part, issued a preliminary report stating that the whole affair was the work of scammers, whom the police blamed.
According to the new information received in their report, the police are now saying that four Gambian nationals have been found wanting in the alleged crime.
“The case is now at the prosecution level for possible criminal prosecution. Four people, all not Central Bank staff, are found to be guilty of committing fraud. The findings of the police is that none of the mentioned Central Bank staff are connected to this fraud,” Police Public Relations Officer Binta Njie told TAT.
She added: “The suspects posed as Central Bank staff. Two suspects are Gambians, and one is said to be a Gambian Lebanese and the other a Gambian Senegalese.”
TAT will follow developments related to this affair and keep our readers updated.
