Following a news report by The Alkamba Times (TAT) on 16 February 2022, the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) announced the launch of an internal investigation.
It would be recalled that the TAT news report publicized the allegation that D155 million in old and mutilated banknotes were deposited at the CBG, and that D11.1 million was given as a bribe to bank staff to facilitate changing the mutilated banknotes into good banknotes.
Now the leaked investigation report, made available to TAT as the first medium to report the story, says the first and second deputy governors failed to act swiftly on the allegations.
The report said the first deputy governor is “found wanting for serious misconduct and dereliction of duty”, while the second deputy governor “concealed vital information regarding the allegation being investigated.”
Meanwhile, the report, which was sent to the Office of the President exonerates the prime suspect, Abdou Ceesay, and two others, Omar Touray and Chikam Bah, as well as the head of IT at the CBG.
The CBG committee investigating the matter recommends the bank update the Bank’s board and Office of the President by sharing the outcome of the internal investigation.
It also recommends a review of Abdou Ceesay’s interdiction, as he appears to be innocent, while further recommending that the findings be shared with police for further investigations.
According to the report, the investigation revealed that Ansumana Bah visited the Bank on 22 Dec 2021 to meet the second deputy governor.
“Evidence also showed that on the 11 January 2022, the first deputy governor received an anonymous call on a matter as serious as this without enquiring about the identification of the caller.
“In addition, he failed to share the details of this call with the Governor though he was shocked to hear such allegations. Although he informed Abdou about the call, he refused to cooperate with him on the identity of the caller, despite his insistence”.
It would be recalled that the 16 February 2022 news report was published after TAT saw a letter containing this claim from the Solie Law Chambers which was sent to the Central Bank authorities.
Then both the CBG management and police subsequently got involved and launched investigations, the results of which are yet to be made public.
The CBG internal investigation team includes Mr. Mamodou Mboge, Adviser to the Governor of the Bank, Mr. Omar Janneh, Director of Administration and General Services, Mr. Saikou Touray, Officer-in-Charge of the HR department and Mrs. Ajie Amie Jagne, Senior Legal Officer.
