A Gambian police investigator, Corporal Sheriff S. Corr of the Fraud Squad, has provided detailed testimony in court regarding the recovery of over D4 million allegedly misappropriated from Global Fund aid intended for the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).
Corporal Corr testified that the funds were retrieved from the Health Promotion and Development Organization (HePDO), a sub-recipient of NMCP funds, in installments after investigations confirmed they were not used for their intended purposes.
During his testimony, Corporal Corr explained that the funds were recovered in different amounts, with some amounts brought by Omar Malleh Ceesay, the second accused representing HePDO, and his Finance Director, Amadou Kujabi. Additionally, some amounts were brought by consultants Muhammed Sissoho and Basiru Phillott.
The recovered funds were deposited on three separate occasions at the Central Bank of The Gambia, with receipts issued for each transaction. However, only copies of the deposit receipts were available to the investigators, as the originals were retained by the treasury department.
Corporal Corr also testified that during their investigation, they engaged with several individuals in each region, who confirmed receiving payment for their participation in the studies. He further stated that he had assisted Omar Malleh Ceesay in drafting a statement, which was later admitted into evidence as exhibit P10.
Regarding retirement documents, Corporal Corr confirmed that they were retrieved from Omar Malleh Ceesay and identified them as such during the court proceedings.
However, there were objections raised regarding the admissibility of some documents, leading Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh to instruct the prosecution to ensure all documents intended for use in the trial were served to the defense.
The witness also explained that HePDO took responsibility for returning the funds after consultants denied receiving the money and indicated that they had been dealing with another individual, Lamin Jarju, who had passed away.
The trial continues, with the prosecution expected to summon additional witnesses to further elucidate the case.
