By Omar Bah
The principal banking officer at the Central Bank of The Gambia, Karamo Jawara, yesterday told the Commission of Inquiry into former President Jammeh’s assets and financial dealings that when instructions come from the office of the former president “no question will be asked.”
Continuing his testimony from Wednesday on the Carnegie Mineral Mining Account at the bank, Jawara said on 18 November 2014, amounts of D2, 298, 392. 50, D1, 178, 528 and D736, 151.85 were withdrawn on instructions from the Office of the President.
He said D3.6 million was withdrawn from the account a week later and paid to TK Motors and D1, 926, 548.37 was paid as tuition fee for former Nusrat High School student Ndey Bassin Jobe on 2 December 2014. A further D120, 275 was withdrawn and paid as additional tuition fee for Miss Jobe.
He said D24, 110 was withdrawn and paid as air ticket for one Haddijatou Hydara on 4 December 2014 and D87, 682. 05 withdrawn and paid as Alagie Darboe’s tuition fees on the same date.
Mr Jawara further testified that on the 9th of the same month D479, 842. 70 was withdrawn and paid as tuition fee for Sarjo Badjie and that on the 29th, the sum of D357, 970 was withdrawn from the Carnegie account and paid as tuition fee for Haruna Saidy.
He also detailed further payments made to Abdoulie Badjie, Ebrima Jatta, Benie Chipman, Abubakar Darbo, Haddijatou Hydara, Amat Bittaye and Tenneng Camara for tuition fees and air tickets.
He said D295, 620 was withdrawn and paid to Mrs Cardos but the purpose of the payment was not stated, adding that on 3o December 2015 D520, 000 was withdrawn and paid to XL Construction company.
The supporting documents of the Carnegie Mineral Mining Account were tendered by Counsel Bensouda and admitted by the commission.
When asked whether the Carnegie account is a government account, Mr Jawara in response said in his opinion, it is but operated in a special way.
Commission resumes sitting on Monday.
