By Fatou Sillah
Ramatoulie Sarr, Secretary General of the Janneh Commission, told the National Assembly Select Committee that she was sidelined in her administrative role during the commission’s sale of tractors, alleging interference by Lead Counsel Amie Bensouda.
Sarr testified that her involvement in the tractor sales process was limited, with coordination, report preparation, and instructions largely handled by the lead counsel. She stressed that, as head of administration, she should have been provided with the sales report.
“A copy should have been handed to me as the administrative head of the commission, but it was addressed to the chairperson, and the lead counsel was copied. It was not handed over to me until after the completion of everything,” she stated.
The witness further claimed that her assistants had closer working relationships with the lead counsel, often disregarding her instructions. She described the lead counsel’s involvement as “significant interference,” which hindered her ability to oversee administrative processes effectively.
When questioned by Hon. Kebba Lang Fofana about why the lead counsel appeared to assume her responsibilities, Sarr suggested that her assistants’ longer tenure in the commission might have influenced the situation.
“One of the reasons could be that my staff members were part of the commission before I joined the commission; that is what I want to believe,” she said.
Sarr also accused the lead counsel of effectively taking control of the matter, stating that while she executed her duties as secretary and head of administration, decisions related to the tractor sales were directed by the lead counsel.