Defence Chief Accused of Using Military Vehicle to Settle Private Land Deal

By Staff Writer

Sergeant Modou Saine, former personal assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, has leveled fresh allegations of corruption and abuse of office against his former commander.

In an extended interview with Kerr Fatou, Sgt. Saine recounted the breakdown of what he described as a once-close professional and personal relationship with Lt. Gen. Cham. Having previously handled both official and personal assignments for the CDS, Saine said he decided to come forward as a whistleblower over what he characterizes as unethical and potentially unlawful conduct.

At the center of the latest allegations is a land transaction in Jigimar, a village near Farafenni in the North Bank Region. According to Saine, Lt. Gen. Cham—then serving as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff—acquired a parcel of land but failed to complete full payment as agreed with the village head, Alikalo Baboucarr Nyang.

Saine alleged that after repeated demands for payment from the Alikalo, Lt. Gen. Cham, now CDS, instructed him to collect a blue Mitsubishi pickup truck from the Gambia Armed Forces’ Supply and Transport Services, under the command of Colonel Seedy Joof. The vehicle was reportedly taken to a garage in Bakau Newtown for repairs before being delivered to Jigimar.

According to Saine, the repaired vehicle was subsequently handed over to Baboucarr Nyang as final settlement for the land.

He further claimed that the transaction was coordinated in Farafenni by an officer identified as CO Krubally and that the land transfer was later completed and documented. Saine said a copy of the transfer documents was forwarded to Lt. Gen. Cham, who in turn asked him to verify their authenticity.

Kerr Fatou has reviewed a land transfer document dated October 21, 2025, relating to a property in Jigimar measuring approximately 11,371 square meters, with Mamat O.A. Cham named as the transferee. Saine submitted the document as evidence of the alleged transaction.

The allegations raise serious concerns about the possible misuse of military assets for private purposes, as well as broader questions about accountability and oversight within the Gambia Armed Forces.

At the time of publication, Lt. Gen. Cham and other individuals named in the allegations had not publicly responded to the claims.