Mustapha John runs the market at Banjul City Council. He told investigators that Mariama Sillah, who collected money for the council, took cash and left for Germany, where her husband already lived.
John explained that Sillah worked in Zone D, one of the biggest areas. When collectors there fill a 50-page receipt book, they usually gather at least 40,000 dalasis. Sillah grabbed one of these books and skipped town with the money. She never paid back what she took.
The inquiry also heard from Alagie Sowe, another person who gathered fees for the council. He faced questions about his past suspension. Lead lawyer Patrick Gomez pointed out that Sowe lost his job in 2018 because he kept money that should have gone to the council.
Gomez mentioned findings that showed Sowe did many dishonest things. Internal auditors found he failed to bank 172,000 dalasis. Another audit report raised issues about 678,540 dalasis. Sowe tried to defend himself by saying it was just an audit question.
He claimed nobody asked him to explain the missing money. The auditors just wrote their report and left. Sowe insisted he went to the council with his records to show he had deposit slips for the 172,000 dalasis. He complained that auditors usually share draft findings so people can respond, but they skipped that step with him.
Another council worker, Mustapha ABE Sarr, admitted keeping council funds for himself. He took 324,000 dalasis during 2021 and 2022 because he claimed he had pressing money problems. Nobody permitted him to use this cash.
Sarr told the commission he has only paid back 25,000 dalasis of what he took. He also admitted he stopped working for a year to run in an election. Even though he didn't show up for his job that entire time, the council still paid his salary every month.
This shocked the commission chairwoman, Jainaba Bah. She asked him directly if he received pay from January through December despite not working. Sarr boldly answered yes to her question.
John explained that Sillah worked in Zone D, one of the biggest areas. When collectors there fill a 50-page receipt book, they usually gather at least 40,000 dalasis. Sillah grabbed one of these books and skipped town with the money. She never paid back what she took.
The inquiry also heard from Alagie Sowe, another person who gathered fees for the council. He faced questions about his past suspension. Lead lawyer Patrick Gomez pointed out that Sowe lost his job in 2018 because he kept money that should have gone to the council.
Gomez mentioned findings that showed Sowe did many dishonest things. Internal auditors found he failed to bank 172,000 dalasis. Another audit report raised issues about 678,540 dalasis. Sowe tried to defend himself by saying it was just an audit question.
He claimed nobody asked him to explain the missing money. The auditors just wrote their report and left. Sowe insisted he went to the council with his records to show he had deposit slips for the 172,000 dalasis. He complained that auditors usually share draft findings so people can respond, but they skipped that step with him.
Another council worker, Mustapha ABE Sarr, admitted keeping council funds for himself. He took 324,000 dalasis during 2021 and 2022 because he claimed he had pressing money problems. Nobody permitted him to use this cash.
Sarr told the commission he has only paid back 25,000 dalasis of what he took. He also admitted he stopped working for a year to run in an election. Even though he didn't show up for his job that entire time, the council still paid his salary every month.
This shocked the commission chairwoman, Jainaba Bah. She asked him directly if he received pay from January through December despite not working. Sarr boldly answered yes to her question.
