Dr Njogu L Bah, former Secretary General, Head of Civil Service and Minister for Presidential Affairs has said that the former president Yahya Jammeh thought that he owned everything in the country.
Dr Njogu Bah made these revelations during his second appearance before the commission of inquiry probing into the financial activities of the former president Yahya Jammeh and his close associates at the Djembe Beach Hotel, Kololi.
“It was difficult to work under the former president Yahya Jammeh,” Former SG Njogu Bah said.
“As for Jammeh, he thinks he owns everything,” he added.
Dr Bah admitted that the transfer of €1 Million Euros from public funds to offset deliveries made to Kanilai Family Farm was not proper. He added that he was approached by one Manhal who used to work with Muhammed Bazzi, a Lebanese businessman and partner of the former president to authorize a letter for the Global Trading Company to offset the deliveries of items made to Kanilai Family Farm. He said the former president gave approval for the letter which he issued. He said he does not have a copy of the letter.
Former Secretary General Bah said he has been moving in and out of the State House from 2005 to 2013.
The Chairman of the Commission, Lawyer Surahata Janneh picked up from where he left it the last time asking Dr. Bah about the close associates of former President, Yahya Jammeh.
“I do not know the close associates of the former president. I’m under oath and must tell the truth. I can’t comfortably say who were his close associates,” Njogu Bah responded.
Bah went further to say he does not want to make assumptions as the former president has never told him about his close associates or anyone either told him. He indicated that the president, ministers and commissioners are under protection while the witnesses before the commission are not protected. He said he took an oath of office which is still binding.
“I believe it can be recorded on camera. I find it difficult to answer on live recording when everyone is watching,” he added.
Chairman Janneh asked whether he was afraid of someone who might be watching which he answered in the negative. He said he would need protection. He was then asked whether he would tell the truth when given protection but he declined.
“Do you know what close associates are,” Chairman Janneh asked.
Dr Bah said in respond it means people who work and do business together.
“Do you want to tell me that you don’t know anyone who do business with the former president,” Janneh asked again.
He answered in the negative but then again was asked whether he knew people who spent lot of time with the former president which he responded in the affirmative, saying some people were coming to the Office of the former President for business. He mentioned Muhammed Bazzi, Amadou Samba and one Mr Ali of Tel Company among others.
Former Secretary General Bah said he could not recall exactly when the term executive directive started at the State House. He was questioned in respect to D10 Million Dalasi for prison rehabilitation. He said a request was made to the GNPC under the instruction of the former president to rehabilitate the prisons. The former president, he said instructed him to write to Tenengba Jaiteh for the request.
“A cheque was given to me and was handed over to the former president,” Dr Bah disclosed.
The proposed letter to rehabilitate the prisons and other relating documents were admitted and marked as exhibits.
Bah said even though he handed the cheque to the former president, he does not know what happened to the money as the prisons was never rehabilitated.
Former SG Bah was questioned about the Mobilization Account which he said the signatories were identified by the former president while the cheque book was with Ms Fatou Mass Jobe Njie, former Minister of Tourism and Culture.
Dr Bah said he travelled abroad with Mr Mambury Njie, former Minister of Finance to look for funds for the State Aircraft Account before a grant was given by the State of Qatar. He further confirmed being a signatory to the Tax Recovery Account which he said was opened after the recommendations of the tax commission. He added that he advised the former president to let the ministries of Justice, Finance and GRA to be signatories but Jammeh never listened.
He was questioned in respect to the withdrawals of $250, 000 US Dollars from the account which he explained was use for the travel expenses of the former First Lady.
When asked why he did not resign after admitting several misconducts of the former president, Dr Bah said he could not because of fear for his life and his family’s safety. He further testified that the former president would never allow his resignation unless he flees out of the country. He also said he decided to stay because he believed he was serving his country.
Meanwhile, he was released but was told that he would be recalled whenever needed.
