Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Lead Counsel of the Commission of Inquiry into the assets of former President Yahya Jammeh, Amie Bensouda, on Thursday appeared before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee for the third time to clarify issues surrounding the commission’s operations, overseas investigations, and the hiring of support staff and international experts.
Ms. Bensouda stressed that her role as lead counsel was distinct from both the commissioners and the investigators, noting that she exercised no hierarchical authority over the investigative team.
“Investigators were independent. They reported to the commission. My responsibility was to review their findings and provide legal guidance,” she explained, adding that she ensured investigation reports contained sufficient evidence before they were submitted to the commission.
Addressing questions on overseas missions, she said the commission had recommended investigations in countries such as the United States, Morocco, and Senegal.
However, budgetary and logistical constraints prevented many of these missions from taking place. She noted that other destinations, including Switzerland, were considered for follow-up investigations into Jammeh’s assets, though she could not recall the full list.
Ms. Bensouda clarified that her support staff was paid by her law firm, AB & Co., because her engagement with the commission was on an individual basis.
Her own fees were paid by the Government of The Gambia, while the Ministry of Justice covered travel expenses for official overseas investigations. “No lawyer bears the costs of a client. For overseas trips, the government covered all expenses,” she emphasized.
She also addressed the involvement of the international forensic accounting firm FTI Consulting and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Homeland Security, she said, assisted the commission in digitizing records during a five-day visit in 2017.
FTI, funded by the Ford Foundation, conducted forensic analyses of accounts belonging to corporations such as NAWIC and Gun Petroleum. Ms. Bensouda stressed that FTI was not involved in tracing Jammeh’s assets and that The Gambia lacked local expertise in forensic accounting at the time.
Reacting to allegations that she contacted individuals in the Caribbean to trace Jammeh’s assets, she dismissed the claims outright. “It’s absolutely rubbish. Five thousand from whose money? My money? Honestly, that’s so ridiculous,” she said.
On the use of her law firm’s letterhead for fee notes, she noted that it is standard legal practice for lawyers affiliated with a firm to submit invoices through that firm, even when contracted individually. The arrangement was accepted by the Ministry of Justice, she added.
Committee members later sought further clarification on FTI’s engagement, overseas investigations, and payments made for support staff. Ms. Bensouda reiterated that AB & Co. covered all internal costs, while government funds were limited to official travel and her personal fees.
Thursday’s hearing marked Ms. Bensouda’s third appearance before the Special Select Committee as it continues its inquiry into the recovery and management of assets belonging to former President Jammeh and his associates.
