Manding King Amadou Kora has told the parliamentary inquiry investigating the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets that he advised those selling Jammeh’s cattle to increase the price to D12,000 each after finding out they were being sold for only D5,000.

Testifying before the committee, Kora said he went to Kanilai, where he found a large group of people buying and selling Jammeh’s cattle.

According to him, the people at the scene were referring to a man called Jallow, who he later learned was in charge of the sale.

“I found a large group of people at Kanilai buying and selling the cattle, and they were all calling Jallow, who I later understood was the one in charge of selling them,” Kora told the inquiry.

“Jallow was selling each cattle for D5,000, and I advised him to make it D12,000. But those buying were not happy with me, so I decided to leave.”

He said his advice was meant to ensure the animals were not sold below their value, adding that the prices being used were unfair and too low compared to the market rate.

The inquiry, set up by the National Assembly, is investigating how Jammeh’s seized assets, including cattle, vehicles, and farmland, were managed and sold after the former president went into exile in 2017.

Kora’s testimony adds to growing concerns that many of the former leader’s assets may have been undervalued or sold under questionable circumstances.

The committee continues to hear from witnesses as it seeks to uncover the full details surrounding the sale of Jammeh’s properties.

By Adama Makasuba