By Fatou Dahaba
Dr. Adama Sallah, a victim of land forcibly taken by former President Yahya Jammeh, sharply criticized the Janneh Commission’s recommendations during his testimony before the Special Select Committee on the Sale and Disposal of Assets on Monday, September 29, 2025. Dr. Sallah, whose land was among those allegedly seized by Jammeh, accused the commission of conducting inadequate investigations and failing to verify the ownership of properties in Batokunku, which were attributed to the former president.
The Janneh Commission, established to probe financial misconduct and asset acquisitions under Jammeh’s regime, recommended seizing properties deemed unlawfully acquired. However, Dr. Sallah argued that many of these lands, including his own, belonged to ordinary citizens who legally purchased them long before Jammeh’s rise to power in 1994. He emphasized that the commission’s process lacked transparency and fairness, as affected individuals were neither invited to testify nor allowed to present evidence.
“No victims, including myself, were summoned or subpoenaed to give their account of what transpired,” Dr. Sallah told the committee. “That kind of investigation leaves much to be desired.” He questioned the legal basis of the commission’s recommendations, citing the exclusion of key stakeholders during the investigations. “As far as I know, none of that happened. I know many people who were affected, and not one of them was invited by the commission,” he added.
Dr. Sallah further highlighted irregularities in the handling of the seized properties. He noted that some lands, initially classified as “Japanese properties” during their confiscation, were later sold to real estate developers and individuals after Jammeh’s departure in 2017. Despite an embargo prohibiting further development or sales until the matter was resolved, Dr. Sallah claimed that local authorities, including the Alkalos of Tanji and Batokunku, continued to allocate and sell portions of the disputed lands.
“Some of us abided by the state’s instructions, but others have been recently allocated or sold what they are trying to defend,” he said, describing the situation as chaotic and complicating the resolution process. Dr. Sallah also revealed that after the commission concluded its work, victims were informed that certain properties, referred to as “German property,” would be returned to the state for further investigation. However, he observed ongoing demarcations and sales of properties that were not previously owned by the state or Jammeh, undermining the embargo.
Dr. Sallah’s testimony raises serious concerns about the Janneh Commission’s methodology and the government’s handling of seized assets. He urged the committee to conduct a thorough reinvestigation, ensuring that affected citizens are included in the process to verify rightful ownership. “The state must ensure justice for those whose lands were wrongfully taken,” he concluded.
The Special Select Committee is expected to review Dr. Sallah’s testimony as part of its broader inquiry into the disposal of assets identified by the Janneh Commission. The outcome of these proceedings could set a precedent for addressing property disputes linked to Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
