Muhammed Bazzi, a Lebanese multimillionaire and business associate of the former president was ordered to surrender the bank accounts of his business, Euro Africa Group that was exclusively engaged in the importation of fuel to The Gambia.
The Lebanese business tycoon was making a second reappearance 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.
Bazzi alleged that he owns 55 percent of the company while the remaining shares belongs to Amadou Samba, a Gambian business tycoon and close associate of the former Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh.
Euro Africa Group established in 2004, was appointed by the Gambian authorities as an exclusive agent of fuel importation in the country. This appointment by the then authorities was seen by the commission as monopoly but the witness has a different view. His arguments was that they were only importing fuel but does not determine the pump prices at the stations. He was ordered to provide the agreement they had with the Ministry of Finance.
Bazzi denied the former president has shares at Euro Africa Group but when asked to explain payment of substantial amounts to the personal bank accounts of the former president, he said the payments were a part of their social corporate responsibility to build mosques, hospitals and girls education among others.
Lawyer Amie Bensouda put to him that the Euro Africa Group has paid D240 Million Dalasi to the personal bank account of the former president at the Trust Bank.
“I am not aware of this,” Muhammed Bazzi said.
It was further disclosed that the same company paid $2.5 Million US Dollars to the accounts of Jammeh Foundation for Peace at the Trust Bankin 2013.
“I will check and come back,” he replied.
Bazzi told the commission that the company was paying dividends but it stopped between 2009 to 2014 that compelled the commission to ordered him to provide the company’s bank accounts and payment of dividends at his next appearance.
The Lebanese business tycoon was further told to submit the records of equipment left by the Carnegie Mining Company taken over by his mining company, GAMICO.
He denied his company’s involvement in exporting mineral sand left at the seaport by the Carnegie Mining Company.
“There was no stockpile of mineral sand at the seaport,” he asserted.
The Lebanese business tycoon further denied the sale of white sand while pointing fingers at the former President, Geology and Brikama Area Council. He tendered some supporting documents. It was admitted and marked as exhibits.
“We were engaged in the sale of mineral sand,” he added.
Bazzi also denied setting up two factories to separate the raw sand from the mineral in China.
When asked about the appointment of Tony Ghattas as Managing Director of APAM by the former president, Mr Bazzi said he advised him not to take the job because it would create problems for him.
Meanwhile, the Country Director of Gambia Milling Corporation, Abdoulie Tambaedou, Managing Director of Gambia Ports Authority and Ebrima Sallah, Managing Director of Trust Bank testified before the commission.
MD Sallah revealed the various accounts of the former president and one account belonging to his son Muhammed Jammeh.
When asked about a piece of land belonging to The Gambia Ports Authority and leased to Gambia Milling Corporation, Ports MD Tambaedou said he was not aware of the issue.
