Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr Marie Tambadou delivered an emotional and point-by-point closing statement on Monday as he concluded his long-awaited testimony before the National Assembly Select Committee investigating the sale and disposal of assets belonging to exiled former President Yahya Jammeh.
For years, Tambadou has faced persistent allegations linking him and his family to the controversial asset sales. Testifying via a video link, the former justice minister, who served from 2017 to 2020, categorically rejected every accusation, describing most claims as “lies and fabrications” that forced him to suffer in silence while his reputation was “dragged through the mud.”
“I did not sign up for this calumny,” Tambadou declared, reminding the committee that he returned from international service at “great personal sacrifice” out of love for the country.
He used the platform to set the record straight on 14 key issues, among them the High Court, not the Ministry of Justice, ordered and conducted the sale of Jammeh’s cattle, the Janneh Commission ordered and oversaw the sale of tractors and vehicles, and later recommended selling landed properties—a recommendation accepted by Cabinet.
Tambadou’s only direct involvement was as one member of a four-person ministerial task force created by President Barrow and endorsed in the Government White Paper.
He said neither he nor any family member had purchased any cattle, vehicles, or properties, adding that he had identified both Augustus Prom (the first court-appointed receiver) and his successor, Alpha Barry, to the relevant authorities, acting consistently with his earlier recommendations to the Janneh Commissioners and lead counsel.
He said Prom’s mandate legally expired under Section 51(8) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act; Tambadou stressed that even Prom’s own representative had conceded this before the committee.
He informed the committee that both receivers were appointed for renewable six-month terms and paid at the same rate; Barry’s fee was later halved after sales exceeded expectations.
According to him, the sale of landed properties followed a transparent public bidding process with no sales agent involved—an exercise Tambadou described as “a very successful venture for the State.”
In a poignant finale, Tambadou reread excerpts from his farewell statement as Attorney General in June 2020, warning that “the biggest threat to our peace and fledgling democracy is misinformation.” He urged the media to expose corruption with facts, not fabrications, cautioning that reckless reporting discourages honest Gambians from public service.
Committee members described the testimony as “detailed and compelling,” with several indicating the evidence presented has significantly clarified long-standing public confusion surrounding the Jammeh asset recovery process.
Tambadou concluded: “I welcomed this inquiry so that all the facts could finally be presented to the public. I hope it is now clear.”
