Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- The National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on the Sale of Former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets on Monday cautioned Accountant General Agnes Macaulay after she failed to appear for a previous summons. Lawmakers warned that further failure to comply with the committee’s authority could result in contempt proceedings.
Ms. Macaulay appeared before the committee after failing to respond to multiple previous invitations, including those issued on August 21, September 4, and September 10. She explained that her absences and staff shortages contributed to the delay. However, committee members rejected these explanations, emphasizing that the critical nature of the investigation left no room for excuses.
The committee also criticized the partial submission of documents, noting that while some payment vouchers had been provided to the Attorney General, the full set of records requested by Parliament had not been delivered. Counsel warned that withholding information undermines transparency and accountability in the ongoing asset recovery process.
In a firm ultimatum, the committee ordered Ms. Macaulay to provide all receipts, reconciliations, and supporting documents within 24 hours. Failure to comply, the committee stressed, could trigger constitutional sanctions and further scrutiny of the Accountant General’s office.
The warning comes as the inquiry into Jammeh’s seized assets intensifies, raising broader concerns about whether state institutions are fully capable of managing and safeguarding recovered assets.
Committee members said they expect full cooperation immediately, underscoring that delays or partial disclosures will not be tolerated at this critical stage of the investigation.