Janneh Commission Secretary Denies Involvement in Tractor Sales Amid Contradictory Testimonies

By Fatou Sillah

Ramatoulie Sarr, Secretary General of the Janneh Commission, on Thursday firmly denied any involvement in the sale of tractors, contradicting earlier testimony from her two assistant secretaries, who claimed she directed the process.

Her statement came during proceedings before the National Assembly committee investigating the matter. Kebba Bojang and Fatou Drammeh, her assistant secretaries, had previously testified that Sarr gave instructions at every stage of the tractor sales process.

Lead Counsel Lamin Dibba challenged Sarr over the inconsistencies between her testimony and that of her assistants. He noted that both assistants reported directly to her and had denied that any formal meetings with the commissioners took place to authorize the sales.

“Both your assistants reported directly to you and testified before this committee that instructions emanated from you at all times. They also deny that any meeting was held with the commissioners to give them instructions,” Counsel Dibba told the witness.
In her response, Sarr reiterated that she had no role in deciding on the tractor sales. She stated that her involvement was limited to sending letters to media houses about the sales and denied attending any meetings on the matter. She also dismissed the claims of her assistants, suggesting they were unsupportive of her and, at times, disregarded her instructions.

Sarr further explained that she had raised concerns about her assistants’ conduct with the commissioners, who advised her to focus on her duties. She said this led her to disengage from certain matters, particularly in relation to Kebba Bojang.

Addressing documents submitted by her assistants, Sarr acknowledged that meetings were referenced in their reports but stressed her name was not mentioned. She maintained that, while the assistants prepared reports from field visits, she was not involved in determining their content or implementing any resulting decisions.

Counsel Dibba pressed Sarr on her earlier statements before the committee, reminding her that she had previously testified to having no knowledge or involvement in the tractor sales. Sarr reaffirmed her stance, maintaining her denial.