Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- Today, the former Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Ebrima Ceesay, made an appearance before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee to discuss the disposal of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh. This follows Jammeh’s sudden departure to Equatorial Guinea in 2017 after losing the 2016 election to President Adama Barrow. The initial commission of inquiry into Jammeh’s wealth and properties has now evolved into a parliamentary oversight process, headed by a Special Select Committee consisting of seven MPs, with support from a Secretariat and a counsel team.

During the session, Mr. Ceesay outlined his role as Secretary to Cabinet, a position he assumed on 8 December 2017. He explained that his duties included reviewing Cabinet papers, coordinating meetings, and ensuring that submissions from ministries were properly processed. He emphasized the heavy workload faced by the office, noting that the Cabinet Secretary’s office initially comprised only himself, a secretary, and a records officer.

On the question of the Janneh Commission’s independence, Mr. Ceesay was unequivocal. He told the Committee that he had no operational interaction with the Commission, its secretariat, or any of its lead counsel. “I never had any interaction with the Janneh Commission, nor with any of the councils or lead council in her team. From my viewpoint, I see them as independent and impartial in the execution of their mandate,” he said.

The exchange between Mr. Ceesay and counsel Dibba, who pressed him over perceived inconsistencies in his previous statements regarding interactions with various commissions. Mr. Ceesay acknowledged minor clarifications but maintained that his testimony reflected the factual nature of his role.

He also elaborated on how Cabinet papers function, describing them as submissions from ministries seeking collective Cabinet approval for specific actions, policies, or decisions. On the case of the Janneh Commission, he noted that any Cabinet involvement was limited to reviewing related submissions, such as the disposal of tractors and other assets, and that decisions were always made collectively by Cabinet.

The Special Select Committee adjourned the session with plans to resume tomorrow to further examine the workings and independence of commissions involved in the ongoing investigations.