By: Fatou Krubally
Former Brikama Area Council (BAC) Chairman Sheriffo Sonko has admitted to serious failures in financial oversight during his tenure, telling the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday that he was often sidelined from key spending decisions and did not track how millions of dalasis were used.
Sonko, who served from May 2018 to May 2023, testified that although he was the political head of the council, he had little involvement in financial matters. “Most of the spending are not discussed with me,” he said, blaming it on “the nature of the council.” He added that financial decisions were often made between the CEO and the finance director, without any formal spending thresholds in place.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez challenged this, citing laws requiring such controls and questioning why Sonko continued with irregular practices. Sonko replied that he merely followed the system he found in place. “My interest was for the council to deliver to expectation,” he said. Gomez responded, “But the council did not deliver to expectation,” pointing to a 2022 internal audit that found double fueling of vehicles, undocumented payments, and cash transactions without receipts.
When asked what action he took in response to the audit findings, Sonko said, “I cannot remember doing anything.”
He also admitted that BAC took two interest-free loans from Jah Oil D2 million in 2019 and D2.5 million in 2022 without council approval. The first was signed by him; the second by the CEO. A separate D7 million Eco Bank loan was discussed at council level, but Sonko could not explain its purpose.
On royalties from the Department of Geology totaling D33.7 million between 2020 and 2023 Sonko said a finance committee was set up to manage the funds. However, he later admitted the money was used to offset overdrafts instead of supporting communities. “I should have asked, but I did not ask,” he said. “Money that was meant for the communities was diverted.”
Only about D3 million was allocated to Gunjur, Kartong, and Pirang wards. The rest remains unaccounted for.
Commission Chairperson Jainaba Bah questioned Sonko’s failure to monitor the council’s finances. “You should have been interested in trying to understand where the council funds go,” she said.
The Commission directed Sonko to submit documentary evidence, including loan agreements, contract minutes, and salary approvals.
