By: Fatou Krubally
Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Alieu Njie has denied Knowledge of the Cabinet Task Force involvement in the sale of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.
Njie made the statement on Monday while testifying before the National Assembly Select Committee investigating the disposal of Jammeh-era assets. His appearance follows ongoing inquiries into the transparency and accountability of asset recovery.
Despite a recent letter issued under his signature asserting that the Office of the Cabinet Secretary hold no records of the Janneh Commission an inquiry that probed Jammeh’s financial dealings. Njie told lawmakers that he personally had no information on the matter.
“As far as I am concerned, we have no records of the Janneh Commission in our files,” Njie told the committee.
However, this assertion raised concerns among lawmakers, with some suggesting potential concealment or selective disclosure of government documents. The committee’s lead counsel issued a stern warning, cautioning Njie about the gravity of misleading the National Assembly.
“You need to appreciate the seriousness of misleading the Committee of the National Assembly about the existence or non-existence of records,” the counsel stated.
Under scrutiny, Njie later conceded that a general file containing materials from various commissions potentially including the Janneh Commission had been located. He described it as a broad “Commissions file,” which may also cover records from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and others.
In response, committee members highlighted inconsistencies in the file’s folio numbers and demanded that all related files dating back to 2016 be submitted for review. Njie agreed, stating that the documents would be available for inspection within 24 hours and fully produced within 72 hours.
A central document of interest, labeled RS35 a 2018 letter from the Office of the President to the Janneh Commission was also brought up during the hearing. Njie, now the custodian of that office, claimed he was unaware of the letter but assured the committee that he would investigate its whereabouts.
“If I don’t have it, I will still check,” Njie added.
Njie’s testimony has intensified scrutiny over the management and record-keeping of assets seized from Jammeh, as legislators seek clarity on the fate of billions of Dalasis, and properties other valuables linked to the former regime.