Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a surprising turn of events during his third appearance before the National Assembly’s Select Committee on the Sale and Disposal of Assets Identified by the Janneh Commission on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, former Registrar General of Companies, Mr. Alieu Jallow, was forced to backtrack on previous claims after documentary evidence contradicted his sworn statements.
Mr. Jallow initially denied authoring any letters to the Gambia Armed Forces or other security institutions in relation to assets flagged by the Janneh Commission. He told the Committee that if any correspondence existed, it was likely directed at individual occupants residing in seized properties, not to the security institutions themselves.
“I honestly cannot remember writing directly to the armed forces,” Mr. Jallow stated. “If I did, it would have been through denunciations already served to specific occupants, but not the institution per se.”
However, the tone of the session quickly shifted when the Committee presented SBSC 21, a document package that included letters signed by Mr. Jallow addressed directly to the Chief of Defence Staff.
Counsel pointed out that this was not new evidence and had been in Mr. Jallow’s possession before his prior appearance before the Committee.
After reviewing the documents, Mr. Jallow reluctantly admitted:
“Yes, this is my signature. I just remember now after seeing it, it’s been a long time.”
But the Committee was not convinced. Counsel pressed further, highlighting that Mr. Jallow had also denied receiving or responding to correspondence from the Commission of Inquiry itself, a claim now clearly debunked by the documents on record.
The exchange prompted pointed remarks from both Counsel and the Committee Chair, who expressed concern over the accuracy and reliability of the testimony.
“You were very confident in your denials last week,” Counsel noted. “You were given several opportunities to refresh your memory, and the committee had this documentation long before your appearance.”
The Committee is continuing its probe into how state assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh were handled following the recommendations of the Janneh Commission.
Mr. Jallow’s contradictory statements have added fresh urgency to the need for transparency and due diligence in public asset recovery and accountability.
As proceedings continue, the Committee is expected to recall other key figures to verify claims and follow the paper trail surrounding the disposal, transfer, and occupation of seized properties.
