The Government of Gambia has ordered the immediate suspension and economic crime proceedings against former Brikama Area Council (BAC) CEO, Modou Jonga. This decision follows a Commission's findings that Jonga reversed lawful financial authorization by signing cheques before supporting documents were assembled. The Commission also found that he diverted D33,713,176.01 in quarry royalties meant for affected communities to pay salaries and overdrafts.
According to the Commission's report, Jonga, as the accounting officer, bore primary responsibility for weak pre-payment controls, unsupported expenditure, and revenue suppression. Internal Auditor Sulayman Barry had repeatedly flagged these issues in his audit reports and weekly logs. The Commission found that Jonga failed to enforce pre-payment controls, admitting that he did not personally verify each supporting document before signing cheques and relied heavily on the Finance Department.
The Commission's investigation revealed that Jonga's actions exposed BAC funds to unsupported expenditure and significant loss. As the former CEO, he bore primary administrative and accounting responsibility and was authorised bank signatory, approved vouchers and cheques, and accepted withdrawals were sometimes made before complete documents were assembled. The Commission said this reversed the lawful order of public financial authorization.
The Government has accepted the Commission's findings and recommendations, which include suspension, economic crime charges, surcharge, administrative sanction, and fitness review. The Attorney General has been directed to institute proceedings under the Economic Crimes Act for unsupported withdrawals and misapplication of royalties. The surcharge has been deferred pending the outcome of the trial.
The Commission was established in February 2023 by President under Section 200 of the Constitution and Legal Notice No. 7 of 2023 to inquire into eight Councils. The investigation into Jonga's actions found that he admitted approximately D33,713,176.01 was paid as 20 per cent royalty share for quarry communities, but funds were not kept in a separate account, were commingled with ordinary funds, and used to offset overdrafts, salaries, and recurrent expenditure rather than applied to communities as required under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The Government's White Paper, released on 29 October 2026, fully accepted the Commission's findings and directed the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) to suspend Jonga pending a fitness review. The penalty under the Economic Crimes Act includes fines equivalent to the loss and imprisonment, similar to the effect of a surcharge. The Auditor General retains the power to initiate a surcharge to protect public funds.
The suspension and charges against Jonga are part of the Government's efforts to address issues of maladministration, breach of financial-control duties, and ensure accountability in the management of public funds. The case highlights the importance of proper financial management and oversight in local government councils.
Key points
- The Gambia government has suspended and charged former Brikama Area Council CEO Modou Jonga over the misuse of D33.7M royalty funds.
- The Commission's investigation found that Jonga reversed lawful financial authorization and diverted funds meant for quarry communities.
- The government has accepted the Commission's recommendations, including suspension, economic crime charges, and surcharge.
