Assan A Jallow faced questions yesterday about his work history during testimony at the Local Government Commission. The internal auditor from Banjul City Council answered inquiries related to financial management practices at Area Councils. Lead Counsel started by asking when exactly he began working at BCC since conflicting dates appeared throughout his statements. Jallow claimed he first applied for the position back in 2018.
The lawyer pointed out that his appointment letter showed 2019 instead. Jallow explained he submitted applications twice—first in 2018 and again the following year when officials finally called him. The counsel pressed further about which year he actually started performing duties there. After some back-and-forth discussion, Jallow admitted his official letter listed 2019 as his start date.
Counsel Gomez wanted complete clarity for the official record. He asked Jallow directly whether he worked at the council during 2018. Jallow confirmed that, according to his paperwork, 2019 marked his formal employment. Later discussions revealed possible reasons behind the confusion when they reviewed previous statements where Jallow mentioned different timeframes. He called the discrepancy an accidental oversight.
The lead counsel disagreed with this explanation. He clarified that employment differs from volunteering or probationary status. Gomez suggested Jallow might have served a trial period before receiving his permanent position from CEO Batchilly. This would explain why both years appeared in various documents. Jallow eventually agreed with this assessment, explaining he completed a mandatory one-year probation starting in 2018 before formal hiring occurred.
The lawyer pointed out that his appointment letter showed 2019 instead. Jallow explained he submitted applications twice—first in 2018 and again the following year when officials finally called him. The counsel pressed further about which year he actually started performing duties there. After some back-and-forth discussion, Jallow admitted his official letter listed 2019 as his start date.
Counsel Gomez wanted complete clarity for the official record. He asked Jallow directly whether he worked at the council during 2018. Jallow confirmed that, according to his paperwork, 2019 marked his formal employment. Later discussions revealed possible reasons behind the confusion when they reviewed previous statements where Jallow mentioned different timeframes. He called the discrepancy an accidental oversight.
The lead counsel disagreed with this explanation. He clarified that employment differs from volunteering or probationary status. Gomez suggested Jallow might have served a trial period before receiving his permanent position from CEO Batchilly. This would explain why both years appeared in various documents. Jallow eventually agreed with this assessment, explaining he completed a mandatory one-year probation starting in 2018 before formal hiring occurred.
