By: Kemo Kanyi
Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) yesterday submitted its petition to the office of the Attorney General at the Ministry of Justice.
The pressure group demanded from the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice for publication of assets disposal by releasing a full list of all assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh and his associates. According to their demands, the list should include detailed descriptions, final sale prices, buyer names, and the valuation methodologies used.
GALA also demanded a disclosure of proceeds. The group was seeking for provision of a comprehensive breakdown of how sale proceeds have been allocated or spent.
Members of the group also state that an independent oversight of the asset-disposal process to be considered in establishing a joint oversight body comprised of representatives from the National Assembly, the National Audit Office, and civil society. This body should be empowered to audit past transactions and to monitor all future asset disposals.
The pressure group further demanded an immediate withdrawal of the nomination of Mr. Abubacarr Ba Tambadou to the International Criminal Court, in light of concerns regarding his oversight of the asset-disposal process during his tenure as Minister of Justice.
Meanwhile, the petition requests that the president of the republic should publicly address the nation concerning the revelations and outline a concrete, time-bound plan to uphold accountability, deliver justice, and implement necessary institutional reforms.
The petition was submitted under Section 25(1)(f) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, which guaranteed every person the right to petition the executive for redress of grievances, the Access to Information Act, 2021, which affirms each person’s right to access information held by public authorities, and the national principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability.
The pressure group was formed by young Gambians after The Republic uncovered alleged irregularities in the sale and disposal of former president Yahya Jammeh’s assets.
