By: Ousman Saidykhan
A board constituted by the Gambia Armed Forces’ high command has completed its investigation of the alleged theft at former president Yahya Jammeh’s residence in Kanilai, Foni.
While answering parliamentary questions, the Defence Minister, Sering Modou Njie, said the board has already submitted its investigation report to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
“But the ministry has yet to receive this investigative report. Once it is received, it will be shared with this august Assembly,” he told lawmakers on Wednesday.
The Minister responded to a question from Almameh Gibba, National Assembly Member (NAM) for Foni Kansala. The question sought an update on the investigations launched by GAF on the reported theft at Jammeh’s residence in Kanilai.
The stolen items from the residence include a big mattress, a T.V. screen, two washing machines, three deep freezers, ten dining chairs, and VIP coats.
The Foni Kansala NAM, Gibba, reported the alleged theft to the Defense Ministry in September 2023 before the Minister instructed GAF to investigate the matter.
In his supplementary question, Bakary K. Badjie, Member for Foni Bintang, asked when the Minister would provide the Parliament with the report.
“As soon as I get the report, we will do what is needed,” Minister Njie responded.
The Foni Bintang NAM was not satisfied with the minister’s response to his question. He raised Point of Order 36(7), which states that ” a question must be answered as clearly and as fully as possible.”
“I’m telling you that the question was not properly answered. And I asked about time – when – is time. And the Minister did not answer my question,” Badjie said.
Hon. Badjie’s Point of Order was overruled by the Deputy Speaker, Seedy S.K. Njie, who presided over the sitting because such queries are subjective.
The residence in question, owned by former president Jammeh, is now occupied by the Gambia Armed Forces.
Jammeh left The Gambia in 2017 after losing the 2016 Presidential Election to a coalition candidate, Adama Barrow, serving his second term in office.
Nearly a decade now, Jammeh, who has been widely called a dictator, lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea, after ruling the Gambia for 22-years with what many refer to as an “iron fist”.
