Former Minister of Gambia Abba Sanyang Faces 27 Criminal Charges

Former Minister of Local Government and Land, Abba Sanyang, faces 27 criminal charges, including economic crimes, forgery, theft, and disobedience of statutory duty. The prosecution’s charges also implicate Pa Modou Jobe, highlighting alleged misconducts between January and July 2022.

Disobedience of Statutory Duty

Sanyang is charged with multiple counts of disobedience of statutory duty, contrary to Section 115 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that during his tenure, Sanyang awarded numerous contracts to Sankulay Firm, a business he registered and later owned by his son. The infractions include:

• Awarding a contract for small office equipment worth D62,100.
• Contracting vehicle maintenance services for D158,400.
• Approving building maintenance work for D152,540.
• Granting another building maintenance contract valued at D120,600.
• Purchasing office equipment for D315,000.
• Allocating D44,100 for miscellaneous services.
• Supplying furniture and fittings for D225,000.
• Granting a D44,500 contract for undisclosed services.
• Awarding D72,500 for another unspecified contract.
• Approving a second D72,500 contract for unspecified services.

Economic Crimes

Sanyang and Jobe are charged with economic crimes under Section 5(a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act, allegedly causing financial losses to the government:

• Loss of D62,100 for small office equipment.
• Loss of D158,400 for vehicle maintenance.
• Loss of D162,400 for building maintenance.
• Loss of D120,600 for another building maintenance.
• Loss of D44,100 for miscellaneous services.
• Loss of D225,000 for furniture and fittings.
• Loss of D44,500 for unspecified services.
• Loss of D72,500 for unspecified services.
• Loss of D72,500 for a second unspecified service.

Theft and Forgery

The theft charges, contrary to Section 245 of the Criminal Code, involve fraudulent withdrawals from the Janjanbureh Sub Treasury Operation account:

• Fraudulently withdrawing D75,560 from an account against a voucher of D2,000.
• Fraudulently withdrawing D70,000 against a voucher of D35,000.

The forgery charges, contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Code, include:

• Creating a false invoice for N.S. Trading.
• Creating a false invoice for YKK Business Enterprise.
• Creating a false invoice for ARCOLLEY’S Enterprise.

Uttering False Documents

Sanyang is also accused of uttering false documents, contrary to Section 328 of the Criminal Code:

• Uttering a false invoice for N.S. Trading.
• Uttering a false invoice for YKK Business Enterprise.
• Uttering a false invoice for ARCOLLEY’S Enterprise.

Prosecution’s Case

The prosecution plans to present seven witnesses and ten exhibits, including voluntary and cautionary statements from Sanyang, audit reports, bank statements from Janjanbureh’s Sub-Treasury account, and various invoices and business registration documents.

Public Scrutiny

As the trial unfolds, it is certain to attract public scrutiny, sparking political debate on governance and integrity within the civil service. The UDP opposition leader Ousainou Darboe has already raised questions about the outcome of the case against Abba Sanyang.