The Gambian National Assembly’s Special Select Committee has recommended criminal investigations into former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr M. Tambadou over alleged systematic violations of the Public Finance Act 2014, abuse of office, economic crimes, and related offenses during the disposal of assets recovered from ex-President Yahya Jammeh via the Janneh Commission.
In a detailed report tabled before the plenary, the committee—tasked with inquiring into the sale and disposal of assets identified by the Janneh Commission—uncovered what it described as deliberate circumvention of financial controls and legal requirements. The recommendations call for the executive, through the police and under the supervision of the Director of Public Prosecutions, to launch probes and institute criminal proceedings against Tambadou.
The controversy centers on the post-Janneh Commission asset recovery process, which aimed to reclaim properties, funds, and other assets allegedly amassed corruptly by Jammeh during his 22-year rule. The Janneh Commission, established after Jammeh’s 2017 ouster, identified substantial ill-gotten wealth, leading to seizures and eventual sales.
Tensions emerged between the Ministry of Justice, then led by Tambadou, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA), headed by Mambury Njie. The government formed an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce—chaired by Tambadou and including ministers such as Musa Drammeh (Lands), Hamat NK Bah (Tourism), and Amie Faburay (Agriculture)—to oversee disposals. MOFEA was notably excluded, reportedly due to concerns about a conflict of interest, as Njie had been mentioned unfavorably and reprimanded in the Janneh Commission’s findings.
Despite this, Njie repeatedly raised alarms about procedural lapses. In a November 1, 2019, letter (referenced as MF/C/107D (77)), he cautioned Tambadou and other taskforce members that proceeds from asset sales and dividends were being deposited into a recovery account at a commercial bank, rather than the Consolidated Revenue Fund as mandated by Section 7(1)(a) and (b) of the Public Finance Act 2014. This section requires public revenues to flow into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as required by constitutional provisions.
Nije’s concerns escalated in subsequent correspondence. On December 16, 2019, he expressed disappointment at the disregard for MOFEA’s statutory role in managing government revenues and assets, stressing the need for fiscal transparency. By February 6, 2020, Njie detailed alleged violations, criticizing Tambadou’s claims of broad discretionary powers in handling recovered assets as overreach not unbound by law. He documented issues such as improper depositing of funds into commercial accounts, unauthorized bank account openings, and delays in depositing public monies—breaches that are said to undermine oversight and accountability.
The committee highlighted a troubling dynamic: Njie accused Tambadou of attempting to intimidate him into silence by threatening criminal proceedings for insisting on compliance. The committee deemed these actions unethical and an abuse of position.
The report portrayed Tambadou’s conduct as part of a consistent pattern of violations aimed at bypassing financial safeguards, rather than isolated incidents. Even after Tambadou left office, irregularities persisted, pointing to broader institutional failures.
Beyond Tambadou, the committee recommended reprimanding the current Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dawda A. Jallow, for perpetuating and validating unlawful administrative arrangements inherited from his predecessor.
To address systemic gaps, the committee urged immediate reconstitution and strengthening of the Assets Management and Recovery Corporation (AMRC) within six months to fulfill its statutory mandate. Failure to do so should trigger a bill within three months to repeal the AMRC Act.
The findings follow heightened public scrutiny, including an investigative report by The Republic newspaper on undervalued sales and irregularities in Jammeh’s asset disposals, which sparked protests in 2025 and prompted the assembly inquiry. The select committee examined evidence for months, including testimonies and documents.
Tambadou has previously denied wrongdoing in related contexts, emphasizing procedural adherence and rejecting allegations as fabrications. He has argued that sales followed legal channels and involved no personal benefit.
The recommendations mark a significant development in Gambia’s transitional justice efforts to address corruption under Jammeh. If pursued, criminal probes could test the independence of institutions in holding high-profile figures accountable.
The assembly’s adoption of the report underscores demands for transparency in the management of public assets recovered from past abuses. Observers see it as a step toward reinforcing fiscal discipline and the rule of law in The Gambia’s young democracy.
