By: Sainabou Sambou
Alhagie Kebbeh, a businessman and key figure linked to Win-win Oil Company Limited and Atoll Civil Engineering Company Limited, on Tuesday detailed before the High Court in Banjul how millions of dalasis flowed through his companies during the government’s emergency rice procurement exercise at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Testifying in a case presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, Kebbeh explained the procurement process and the eventual transfer of eight million dalasis to local rice supplier George Banna.
Kebbeh told the court that Win-win Oil Company Limited entered into an arrangement with George Banna to source rice locally as part of the national COVID-19 response. Before any contract was finalised, a joint inspection team comprising officials from Win-win, the Ministry of Trade, and the World Food Programme (WFP) visited the warehouse to verify the quantity and quality of the rice stock physically.
He said the WFP later collected the samples and sent them for laboratory testing in accordance with United Nations procedures. The testing process took approximately three weeks, after which the WFP confirmed the rice was fit for human consumption and gave the green light for the contract to proceed.
“Following approval, the government effected payments to the vendors in the supply chain. The vendors then paid Win-win Oil Company Limited, which in turn made payments to George Banna to facilitate the supply of the rice,” Kebbeh testified.
He confirmed that all payments to the supplier were made via bank transfers. Win-win Oil Company Limited conducted its transactions through Access Bank, with funds transferred directly from the company’s account to Banna.
Kebbeh said he could recognise the company’s bank statement, which clearly showed account details and transaction records. A statement of account was subsequently tendered and admitted in evidence.
One particular transaction highlighted by the witness showed a transfer of eight million dalasis made on 11 February 2021 from Win-win’s Access Bank account to George Banna.
Kebbeh also provided details of related transactions involving Atoll Civil Engineering Company Limited, which the Ministry of Trade had awarded a separate contract. He told the court that payments were made into Atoll’s account and later distributed to partners, including the rice supplier.
The witness confirmed he is a shareholder in Atoll Civil Engineering, holding a 35 percent stake, while another shareholder also holds 35 percent. He said Atoll used Zenith Bank for its transactions, and that payments from its account were linked to the same supply arrangements.
On the internal payment procedure, Kebbeh explained that requests are first submitted and reviewed by the General Manager and the Finance Director before being forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer for final approval. Once approved, the finance department processes the payment either by cheque or bank transfer, which must then be signed by authorised signatories before funds are released.
He insisted that the same rigorous approval process was followed in all payments made to George Banna and other suppliers, and that all transactions complied with the company’s established financial controls and internal systems.
Director of Public Prosecutions AM Yusuf represented the state, while lawyer K. Jallow appeared for the accused.
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 6 May 2026, at 10:00 am for continuation of the hearing.
