Gambia probes alleged diversion of 2 million dalasis by Fode Danjo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Gambiana
The Gambian government has referred the case of Fode Danjo, former chairman of the Basse Area Council, to the auditor general after findings concerning the alleged diversion of 2 million dalasis in public funds. A financial investigation will establish the losses and gather evidence of possible offences before referral to the police and prosecutor if criminal responsibility is established, according to Gambiana.
The Gambian government has accepted the recommendations of an inquiry commission targeting former chairman of the Basse Area Council, Fode Danjo, following findings of irregular borrowing and mismanagement of public funds. It has referred his case to the auditor general for a forensic audit, according to Gambian media outlet Gambiana.
The commission found that Fode Danjo had taken out loans and overdraft facilities without the required ministerial authorisation, in breach of the 2014 Public Finance Act. It also reported that he admitted diverting two million dalasis, a government grant intended for development projects, to pay staff salaries and repay a private loan.
The inquiry also identified withdrawals of several million dalasis from the council’s accounts without adequate supporting documents, as well as insufficient financial controls. The commission said Danjo had failed to fulfil his supervisory responsibilities and had allowed practices he knew to be irregular to continue.
The audit is to establish the scale of the losses and gather evidence of possible economic offences. Its findings will be sent to the inspector general of police for investigation, and then to the Office of the Attorney General if criminal responsibility is established. The government has also accepted the principle of recovery proceedings against Danjo or any other responsible person, as well as a review by the Local Government Service Commission of his suitability to hold public office.
