Former Registrar General Denies Role in Jammeh Asset Recovery, Confirms Involvement in Asset Sales

Alieu Jallow, the Former Registrar General

By Buba Gagigo

Alieu Jallow, the former Registrar General of The Gambia, has denied any involvement in the recovery of assets belonging to ex-President Yahya Jammeh but confirmed his participation in the sale of those assets under the direction of the Attorney General.

Appearing before the ongoing inquiry, Jallow stated that following the change of government in 2017, the Attorney General filed a suit at the High Court against the former president. He explained that the Attorney General subsequently applied for freezing and custodial orders over Jammeh’s assets.

When asked about his involvement, Jallow clarified, “I was not part of the team that aided the application, but I was part of the team that aided the enforcement of the subsequent order that was granted by the high court.”

Mr. Jallow confirmed that he was subsequently appointed by the High Court as a receiver, with responsibility for all movable and immovable assets placed under his custody. “I cannot remember the specific assets that were listed under my authority,” he stated. “What I know is, the order clearly stated that, I was to have custody and control of the movable and immovable assets.”

When asked what steps he took as Registrar General to ensure the court order was properly implemented, he responded, “First, it was to convene a cooperation meeting with the stakeholders involved, which included the receivers of the companies Augustus Prom and the livestock marketing agency. We also invited non-receivers as part of the task force that was subsequently established. That included the office of the sheriff and the security (soldiers and SIS). We were accompanied by the security for the first phase of the exercise.” 

He stated, however, that he could not recall whether he was the one who invited the stakeholders to the meeting, nor could he remember who chaired it.

Following the meeting, he said he prepared an internal memorandum and brought it to the attention of the Minister of Justice before the commencement of operations.

Regarding the identification of stakeholders, he explained that the primary stakeholders were named by the court order, while he was responsible for identifying the additional ones.

“The office of Sheriff, we thought it wise to include them by virtue of the fact that they have the experience in the enforcement of court orders, we also invited the soldiers to be part of the Taskforce because we at the time we informed that most of assets of the former President were under their care, so for the ease of identification and access, it was wise to also have them as part of the team, for SIS, there was need to for them to be part of it, they requested that they wanted to be part of it to witness the exercise,” he said.

When asked why the Department of Parks and Wildlife was not included among the stakeholders despite being mentioned in the court order, he responded, “It might be an oversight but I cannot remember.”

He went on to explain the subsequent actions taken: “We started with serving (notice) to all the companies and individuals affected by it. We served all the banks affected; we served individuals occupying private properties. We also served some companies belonging to the former president, and many other places where we have knowledge of the former president’s properties.”

He stated that by the time he left office in 2018, the court order was not in effect, explaining, “it was not in effect because I was only to implement it in 180 days.” 

When asked whether he was aware of any instance in which the Attorney General applied to the High Court to renew the order, he responded in the negative.

Mr. Jallow was then shown a copy of a renewal order issued by the High Court. He described it as “merely an order extending the mandate” and insisted it had never been brought to his attention. “I am seeing this for the first time, I am not aware, I am not involved in the process of the application, it was never brought to my attention. In fact, I am not aware that it was ever obtained,” he said.

He also stated that he had no involvement in the recovery of the assets but confirmed his participation in their sale. “The ruling of the court was granted by Justice Buba Jawo (late). I was instructed again by the Attorney General to witness the sales, and I went there to witness the sales but that was still within the period of the first order,” he explained.

The lead counsel pointed out that the actions in question fell outside the scope of the initial order, noting that Justice Jawo’s ruling was delivered on January 3, 2018, and all subsequent activities were carried out after that date. In response, he stated, “Anyway I know for certain that the minister has instructed that I go and assist them but quite frankly I am not aware of the mandate of the order you have just presented.”