Posted by By Bekai Njie
Evidence has shown that former President Yahya Jammeh was involved in money laundering, according to attorney general and minister Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou, lias Ba Tambadou.
Ba Tambadou made this claim on yesterday at a local hotel in a side interview after delivering a speech at the 30th Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing Terrorism.
Although it is generally believed that money laundering and financing terrorist activities are more or less trans-national, Tambadou said it should not be assumed that such illicit activities only take place beyond our borders, citing that such activities happen within countries.
“We shouldn’t assume that money laundering and terrorist financing is always cross border, there is internal money laundering. For example, typically the former president we have evidence of his involvement in money laundering within this country and that is the reason why we were able to successfully apply to the High Court for freezing order. So money laundering should not be seen as cross border or trans-national it can occur also internally within countries,” he explained.
He said it is the responsibility of national governments to enact laws that will effectively combat the menace of money laundering and terrorist financing. The attorney general also said governments do not have all the techniques in combating the menaces, saying that is where the importance of key partners like GIABA comes into play to provide the technical assistance.
The Justice minister said money laundering and countering of financing terrorism “are very, very complex tans-national transactions that cut across different countries. And that is why it is absolutely important to have the cooperation of countries in the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism.” He continued; “that is why institutions like GIABA fulfill a very, very important role in this exercise.”
He reiterated the government’s firm commitment to enjoin the world in the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism.