By Alieu Ceesay
The National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on the sale and disposal of assets, as identified by the Janneh Commission, adjourned its public hearing on Monday after the Director of the Gambia Livestock and Marketing Agency (GLMA), Momodou Darboe, failed to appear before investigators, stalling the committee’s proceedings.
The committee, tasked with probing asset disposals, requires witnesses to submit statements to investigators to facilitate its inquiries. However, Darboe’s failure to provide a statement, attributed to a date mix-up, disrupted the planned session. In an apology before the committee, Darboe explained, “I am very sorry for missing the team of investigators. This was due to the last letter received from the team with a new date. I thought it was for July 21, 2025, rather than July 17, 2025, without reviewing the content of the letter. I was informed on Sunday by a National Assembly staff member.”
Darboe expressed regret, stating, “I understand the inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused. I am committed to ensuring such errors do not occur in the future and appreciate your understanding.” His absence, however, drew sharp criticism from the committee’s chairman, Honourable Abdoulie Ceesay, who emphasized the importance of respecting the committee’s mandate.
“GLMA cannot be an obstacle to this committee’s work,” Ceesay declared. “The letters were addressed to your department, not you personally. The content and dates were clear. We expect you to respect the committee’s decisions.” He expressed frustration, noting, “We were expecting you to testify today, but you didn’t even provide a statement. Other witnesses submitted statements, testified, and left peacefully. This is disappointing.”
The committee, guided by its motto “Accountability safeguards the nation,” is investigating the management and disposal of assets as part of its broader efforts to combat corruption. Ceesay warned Darboe to adhere strictly to his duties, underscoring that the committee’s work is critical to national accountability.
To rectify the situation, Darboe was instructed to meet with investigators on Monday to submit his statement and appear before the committee on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, for testimony. The adjournment highlights the committee’s insistence on procedural compliance and the challenges of ensuring cooperation from public officials.
