The Janneh Commission of Inquiry into the financial and business dealings of former president Yahya Jammeh cost the Gambian taxpayers D50 million, the Attorney General, Abubacarr Tambadou, said on Tuesday.

Tambadou told members of the national assembly that the commission spent the eye-watering D50 million on payments to the three commissioners, the 58 staff, lawyers’ fees, fuel, food, stationery, security and rentals.

The price tag was for 18 months work of the commission in investigating the former president Jammeh’s financial dealings during his 22-year-rule. The commission was led by veteran lawyer, Surahata Janneh.

Tambadou disclosed that the commission during its investigation confiscated assets including cars, properties, cattle. He said D77 million was generated from the sale of the seized assets. 

“I am proud to report that largely because of their work, conducted in a professional manner with respect and adherence to due process, fairness and transparency, we have exposed the alarming scale of corruption and financial delinquency of the former president.

“In the course of its work, the commission was able to generate monies from its activities including 67,894,170 dalasis from the sale of 138 tractors and 458 vehicles (including scrap), 8,302,970 dalasis from the sale of 725 herd of cattle as well as bank accounts frozen and/or discovered by the commission and other properties discovered as a result of their work.

“We have shared information generated in the course of tracking and recovery of assets procured through illicit enrichment and we have registered some success in this endeavour; and we have seen a tightening of financial regulations by government departments and agencies to prevent corruption and financial leakages in the system.”

The Janneh Commission, which was set up in 2017 and completed its investigation in December,  is yet to present its report findings to President Adama Barrow. The mandate of the Commission was for three months but had several extensions during 18 months of its duration.