Gambia begins financial probe into ex-President, Yahya Jammeh
A commission in charge of investigating former President Yahya Jammeh’s finances has started its hearings in Gambia.
The country’s ministry of justice believes that tens of million dollars of public money was looted from state funds by the former leader during his 22-year rule. Three bankers and the director of the revenue service were questioned at the start of the public hearings.
The mining activities of one of Mr Jammeh’s companies, and the alleged disappearance of taxpayer’s money are all under investigation as well. The charity of the former ruler, the Jammeh Foundation for Peace is also under scrutiny.
The commission of investigation was set up by the new government of President Adama Barrow in July. Its five members will look into allegations of abuse of power, embezzlement of public funds, and possible violations of the constitution.
Earlier in the year, $50m in assets, including 86 bank accounts and over 100 properties were seized by the government from Mr Jammeh who ruled The Gambia for 22 years until he lost the 2016 elections to Barrow. In January he fled the country and settled in Equatorial Guinea.
