Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- The Gambia Government’s official reply to Parliament’s inquiry into the controversial $30 million petroleum import has triggered new questions after glaring contradictions emerged between ministers and police testimony.

Presenting the reply under Order 100 during the Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly, Hon. Seedy Keita, Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, said the investigation into Apogee FZC, Grid Energy and Gun Petroleum was halted once the source of funds was verified and determined to be linked to legitimate oil-related transactions.

But this position directly contradicts the testimony of the Inspector General of Police and his team before parliament, where they insisted that the case was never halted, but rather placed under “Keep in View” (KIV).

“From the onset to the end of our testimony, we were very clear, the matter was never halted. It was placed under KIV,” the police told the Assembly.

The contradiction sparked heated exchanges, with National Assembly Members pressing the government rep to explain the inconsistency and to clarify why heads of key institutions, including the Gambia Revenue Authority, Central Bank, and the police, were not held accountable despite intelligence reports flagging suspicious transactions.

Minister Keita also addressed the controversy surrounding Gun Petroleum, explaining that although the company is majority-owned by state entities, it remains a limited liability company governed by its own board of directors. For this reason, he said, the government could not unilaterally remove its Managing Director, as recommended by Parliament.

Lawmakers, however, expressed frustration that Apogee’s trading activities inside The Gambia were not treated as local business subject to stricter regulation.

The matter remains unresolved as Parliament intensifies scrutiny over Jammeh-era petroleum transactions and presses for greater transparency in government dealings.