By Alieu Ceesay
A Gambia Armed Forces sergeant, Adama Jagne, was dramatically arrested on the premises of the National Assembly on wednesday for contempt, after allegedly concealing critical information during an inquiry into the sale and disposal of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh.
The arrest stemmed from proceedings by the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on the Sale and Disposal of Assets, as identified by the Janneh Commission. Committee counsel Ajie Sainey Kha moved for Jagne’s immediate detention, accusing him of violating Assembly orders by withholding details essential to the probe.
“I am making an application for the Sergeant at Arms of this National Assembly to arrest Mr. Adama Jagne for violating Section 12 of the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act and other relevant laws,” Kha stated. She charged Jagne with “concealing information, deliberately tampering with witnesses,” despite multiple opportunities over several weeks to provide truthful testimony.
Kha grounded her application in Section 109 and 110 of the 1997 Gambia Constitution, the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act, and Standing Orders 102 and 140. Committee Chairman Honourable Abdoulie Ceesay swiftly granted the motion.
“I hereby order the security forces of the National Assembly to arrest Sergeant Jagne and deliver him to the custody of the Gambian Armed Forces Military Police for investigation and detention,” Chairman Ceesay directed. He further notified the Ministers of Interior and Justice, pursuant to Section 102 of the Powers and Duties Act, mandating full cooperation from law enforcement to execute the contempt proceedings.
Jagne, who has appeared before the committee on multiple occasions, testified about the disposal of vehicles belonging to the former president. He initially claimed that no such cars were in his custody and stated that one Saidy-Bah had instructed him to sell them. However, the committee alleges inconsistencies and deliberate omissions that obstructed their findings into Jammeh-era asset sales.
Assembly security personnel executed the arrest on-site, handing Jagne over to the Military Police. The incident underscores the committee’s resolve to uncover details of alleged mismanagement under the previous regime, as recommended by the Janneh Commission.
The arrest highlights tensions between legislative oversight and military accountability in post-Jammeh Gambia. Jagne remains in military custody pending further investigation. The committee continues its work, vowing transparency in recovering state assets.
