Gambia investigates Sheriffo Sonko over financial irregularities
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Gambiana
The Gambian government orders a police investigation into Sheriffo Sonko, former chairman of the Brikama Area Council, after financial irregularities and allegedly unlawful contracts. Authorities also seek to recover the public funds concerned and assess his criminal responsibility, according to Gambiana.
The Gambian government has ordered a police investigation into Sheriffo Sonko, former chairman of the Brikama Area Council, after the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Authorities identified financial irregularities and breaches in public procurement. The authorities tasked the inspector general of police with determining whether Sonko or other people bear criminal responsibility, reports Gambiana.
The commission identified an under-reporting of 9,312,722.72 dalasis in revenue and 1,301,500 dalasis in expenditure without sufficient supporting documents. It also found that allowances paid to councillors during Korité and Tabaski had not received the required ministerial approval. The government asked the auditor general to take steps to recover the funds concerned.
The commission deemed the award of a contract to 5C Energy illegal, due to the lack of a compliant competitive process, and concluded that land transactions conducted by the council between May 2018 and January 2023 were irregular. Any case presenting sufficient evidence of an offence will be referred to the office of the attorney general.
Sonko, who now works in the diplomatic service, is also being assessed by the Public Service Commission on his suitability to remain in the civil service. The inquiry also identified former director general Mam Sait Jallow, his successor Modou Jonga and finance director Alagie Jeng among the main people responsible for the council’s broader failings.
