Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia government has flatly rejected the National Assembly’s damning findings and recommendations against Tourism Minister Abdoulie Jobe and Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang over the controversial Russian oil importation scandal, deepening tensions between the Executive and the Legislature.
A joint committee of the Public Finance Accounts Committee (FPAC) and the Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) had accused the two cabinet ministers of procedural violations and abuse of office in connection with the suspected dubious importation and sale of petroleum products by Apogee FZC from a Russian ship. Lawmakers recommended a vote of censure against the ministers.
Allegations Against Abdoulie Jobe
The committee alleged that Mr. Jobe, then Minister of Petroleum, may have committed misconduct by facilitating a purported government policy that allowed Apogee FZC to deposit petroleum products at the Gam Petroleum depot, allegedly granting the company a monopoly over local oil marketing companies. It further found that the policy bypassed the required consultative process and lacked evidence of Cabinet approval.
Lawmakers also accused Mr. Jobe of interfering in police investigations following the arrest of Apogee FZC’s principal suspect, Aurimas Steiblys, who was detained briefly and later fled the country after his release without charge.
But Finance Minister Seedy Keita, presenting the government’s response, defended Mr. Jobe’s actions, insisting he acted within his ministerial powers. “What the minister has done is a policy which we deem is within his authority,” Keita told lawmakers. “Ministers have the authority to issue policy directives necessary for their sectors without compromising other stakeholders.”
Allegations Against Abdoulie Sanyang
The committee also accused Mr. Sanyang, then Inspector General of Police, of “prematurely halting” the investigation into Apogee FZC and failing to exercise proper command authority, recommending that he be held administratively accountable for his inaction.
Again, the government rejected the finding, stating that the police acted on the Financial Intelligence Unit’s report and launched an investigation into Apogee FZC, Creed Energy, and Ultimate Beige Logistics, only halting the probe after the source of funds was established.
Gam Petroleum GM Accused of Misleading Parliament
Lawmakers further called for the immediate suspension of Gam Petroleum General Manager Yoro Jallow and the initiation of criminal perjury proceedings against him for allegedly misleading the Assembly and facilitating “preferential treatment, regulatory evasion, and monopolistic practices” in favor of Apogee FZC.
But the government resisted the recommendation, saying the decision to suspend Mr. Jallow lies with Gam Petroleum’s board, not the government, and that perjury allegations fall under police jurisdiction for further investigation.
Other Recommendations
The government accepted the recommendation for the Attorney General to establish a special panel to investigate the conduct of Police SIU Commander Pa Alieu Jawara and the procedures adopted in the probe of Mr. Steiblys.
On the call for the Registrar General to petition the High Court to wind up Ultimate Beige Logistics, the government said the Ministry of Justice would first assess the legal and factual basis before filing any petition. It also noted that barring suspect Mr. Akufo from acting as a director of any company can only be done through a court order, not by executive decision.
The government’s rejection of the Assembly’s key recommendations highlights a widening rift between the Executive and the Legislature over accountability in one of the country’s most high-profile petroleum scandals.
