Posted by By Dawda Faye
The managing editor of Foroyaa Newspaper, Samuel Sarr, yesterday appeared before the Janneh Commission in relation to the publication made by the said newspaper on a land situated at Mandinary.
The publication, according to Mr. Sarr, who brought along bound file of copies of the newspaper, was published in June 2005.
The said file was subsequently tendered and admitted in evidence after the publication was identified by Mr. Sarr.
Abdoulie Cham, the former finance director of the Central Bank of The Gambia, also reappeared before the commission for cross-examination by Counsel Mary Samba on behalf of Amadou Samba.
Lawyer Samba questioned him on the international telex transfer made at the CBG, and was asked who approved the transfer. In response, he said the board approved the transfer. It was put to him that he was the one who effected the transfer of US$268,000 to Kenneth Y. Best.
According to him, it was the then governor, Momodou ‘Clark’ Bayo, who approved the transfer. He told the commission that they have foreign bank accounts, noting that international telex transfers were controlled.
He said the finance office which he headed was responsible for settlement when it was put to him that he single-handedly effected the transfer. It was also put to him that it was correct that Mr. Samba is not working at the CBG, and he answered in the positive.
He was asked whether Mr. Samba was the account holder, and he answered in the negative. “I am baffled that this is the way you operate at the CBG,” said Counsel Samba. Again, it was put to him that he did not receive any invoice or bank statement from Mr. Samba, and he replied that he did.
At this juncture, he was told that he was grossly negligent in the execution of his duties, but he denied it. He was asked who the signatory to the account was. He told the commission that Ebou Jallow and Edward Singhateh were the signatories.
Lamin Touray, the registrar of companies, also reappeared before the commission to produce documents relating to certain companies, such as Kanilai Afro Production, NAWEC and Meeting Point Company.
Documents relating to the said companies were tendered and admitted as exhibits.
The commission resumes today.