Kanifing Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal contesting an adverse finding by the Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of local government councils and connected matters.

Bensouda is contesting the Commission’s finding that he exercised political and executive influence in a manner capable of causing or sustaining irregular commitments, unauthorised expenditure, irregular project direction and extra-statutory financial exposure.

At the centre of his appeal is his argument that he was not the accounting officer of Kanifing Municipal Council and therefore could not have authorised payments made by the Council.

According to the Notice of Appeal, Bensouda argues that the Commission did not specify the expenditure over which he allegedly exercised influence and which it considered unauthorised or irregular.

He further maintains that payments made by the Kanifing Municipal Council were authorised by the Council’s accounting officers.

Bensouda also argues that, as the duly elected Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, he had a mandate to ensure that the Council’s affairs were conducted properly and lawfully.

The Commission issued its adverse findings against Bensouda in a Notice to an Adversely Mentioned Person dated May 12, 2026.

The appeal is being brought under Section 204 of the 1997 Constitution, which provides a mechanism for challenging findings made by commissions of inquiry.

Bensouda is asking the Court of Appeal to determine his appeal and set aside the entire finding made against him by the Commission.

The Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the governance, financial management and administrative conduct of local government councils, including whether officeholders breached constitutional or statutory obligations.

The appeal now places the Commission’s findings concerning Bensouda before the Court of Appeal, which will determine whether the contested finding should be upheld or set aside.

By Adama Makasuba