By Makutu Manneh
The Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday questioned former Basse Area Council Chairman, Foday Danjo, over the withdrawal of D51,169,000 by the council’s former finance director, Lamin Susso.
Testifying via an online platform, Danjo said he only became aware of the withdrawals after a system audit was conducted.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez pressed him on why he had not requested regular account statements during his tenure.
Danjo maintained that the general council had instructed the chief executive officer (CEO) to provide account statements, adding that while they sometimes received them, there were occasions when they did not.
However, Counsel Gomez countered that the general council had never formally requested account statements for review purposes. Danjo disagreed, insisting that records in the council’s meeting minutes would prove otherwise, although he could not recall the specific meetings where the matter was discussed.
When asked to present evidence, Danjo said the council clerk who might have the records was no longer employed there and that he was not in contact with him.
“We also did not have evidence of what you are saying. Mr. Danjo, it is your responsibility to provide evidence,” Counsel Gomez told him.
Counsel Gomez further accused Danjo of failing to exercise proper oversight as chairman, which allowed Susso to make unauthorized withdrawals.
“The withdrawals made by Lamin Susso—if you were doing your job as chairman or council you would have realized that these withdrawals were not duly authorized,” Counsel Gomez put to him.In response, Danjo said the council had reported the issue to the Ministry of Local Government and hired auditors to review all accounts.
“Council paid these auditors; we accommodate and feed them so they can audit all our accounts. If we want to do fraud or corruption, we will not do that,” Danjo said.
He emphasized that the council’s decision to hire auditors was driven by genuine concern, not negligence. He also rejected claims that he failed in his supervisory duties, noting that he was the political head of the council and not a signatory to any of its accounts.