Call for a Comprehensive Audit of Jammeh’s Assets

Since the ouster of Yahya Jammeh, our homeland has entered a new dawn, sparking extensive conversations about justice, liberty, democracy, representation, accountability, the state, and the demos. These are interesting times, with numerous debates and questions, such as the efforts to petition the state for lists of Jammeh’s assets and their buyers. These questions are valid, and any serious administration must address them.

The President’s Response. It was encouraging to see the president’s response related to Jammeh’s stolen assets. However, this action alone will not suffice. We face challenges beyond simple accounting issues, including conflicts of interest, the challenge of state auditing, legal frameworks for the auctioning of assets, and the reasons behind the delay in auctioning some assets.

The need for a Special Investigator. We advocate for a special investigator. This issue demands a thorough performance audit that goes beyond mere accounting. We must account for the assets and evaluate the involved ministries and departments regarding their efficiency, effectiveness, and stewardship in auctioning these assets.

Pictured: One of Yahya Jammeh’s luxury vehicles. Credit: Justiceinfo.net

Objectives of the Audit. The audit should examine the processes involved in asset auctioning to determine how effectively resources are utilized and if objectives are met in a timely manner. Specifically, the audit would, among other things, assess:

• Where, when, and how were the assets auctioned?

• Who purchased the assets?

• What processes were involved in auctioning the assets?

Did the auctioneers comply with the law?

What challenges, if any, were faced during the auctioning process?

Capabilities of the National Audit Office and the Congress

The National Audit Office (NAO) is one of our country’s most robust institutions. However, their limited resources and the small number of performance auditors, inspectors, evaluators, and investigators may hinder their ability to address this issue comprehensively.

Further, since the constitution mandates parliament to check on the executive’s largesses, it has the authority to mount such an investigation. However, our legislators do not seem equipped to conduct such an investigation unilaterally without the support of experts trained for such reviews.

Therefore, we implore the state to appoint a special investigator who can assemble an all encompassing team to examine the auctioning of these assets. This team would significantly aid Parliament in its investigative and oversight responsibilities regarding this contentious national issue.

Clear Criteria for the Audit

The criteria for this project should be straightforward, as the recommendations of the Janneh Commission were largely accepted and implemented by the executive branch, particularly the Ministry of Justice. These recommendations will serve as the foundation of the performance audit.

A Limited Scope for Success

To avoid mission creep, this audit should operate within a limited scope, with a timeline of four to six months from initiation to report issuance. This timeframe will allow the special investigator’s team to request documents, conduct stakeholder interviews, analyze information, and compile a comprehensive report.

Assembling the Right Team

The team should consist of seasoned performance auditors, evaluators, inspectors, lawyers, and analysts dedicated to thorough investigations.

Conclusion

The country deserves clear answers regarding Jammeh’s assets, and we must conduct this process comprehensively. A special investigator equipped with the appropriate experts will be better positioned to tackle this issue. The nation is watching, and our leaders must take this seriously. This situation extends beyond a simple accounting issue or legal framework; it encompasses deep accountability and transparency, necessitating the appointment of a special counsel to address it effectively.

Malick Senghore and Sulayman Njie

Editors note: Sulayman Njie is a Senior Research and Policy Analyst, University Professor, Scribbler & Alumnus of The Nyakoi Nursery School. He lives in Dallas, Texas, USA.