When asked by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez about fraudulent payment vouchers involving the Council Clerk Dawuda Jones D10,000 on two occasions and D50,000 paid to one Ebou Keita, Camara denied having any knowledge or involvement in those transactions.
He stated that after his initial six months in office, several payments were processed without his knowledge or consent.
Camara was also questioned about a scholarship payment under the Ostend Project made to a staff. He explained that the money was paid directly to the school, but criticized the process, noting that all scholarship decisions came from the Mayoress without consultation with the General Council. “There should have been a committee that assessed scholarships based on merit and need. Instead, everything came from the Mayoress, which drained council resources,” he said.
He went on to say that he found the CEO already entrenched in such practices, and although he initially believed there were standard procedures, he later realised they were inappropriate. The CEO with over 26 years of experience in local government finance, Camara said he expected better guidance from him.
The commission also examined several large payments made in the name of the Mayoress, including D240,000 to TJ Catering allegedly linked to the Mayoress D400,000 to Small Smart Technology, and D163 million to Sassoum Sillah for the cost of bearing trucks. Additional payments included D122,000 in cash imprests and D100,000 paid twice for land acquisition for hunting societies. Camara agreed that these payments should not have been made in the Mayoress’s name and acknowledged the Lead Counsel’s claim that they appeared politically motivated.
Camara revealed that the Mayoress would often instruct him to follow specific payment patterns. When asked why he complied, he said he tried to resist but felt powerless without the CEO’s backing. He also claimed to have been physically and verbally abused while carrying out his duties.
On the controversial purchase of LED lights, Camara admitted that over D1 million was spent without proper procedures, including D472,000 that was not cleared by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA). Despite a rejection letter from GPPA, the council proceeded with the procurement, citing an emergency. Camara said the funds were handed to a protocol officer, Marget Samba, under the instructions of the Mayoress. When asked why he approved it, he said he regretted the decision and had refused to inspect the delivered items.
Further irregularities were exposed regarding sitting allowances, vehicle hire expenses, and vouchers raised by one Modou Lamin B. Bah on behalf of the Mayoress. Camara stated that Bah tried to provide supporting documents but admitted it was often difficult to account for how the funds were actually spent. The commission admitted these vouchers into evidence.
Camara described BCC as a highly controlled environment, saying, “Everything goes through the Lord Mayor.” He added that administrative staff simply followed orders, and even the CEO would remain silent in the Mayor’s presence during meetings. The Lead Counsel described the situation as a struggle for power and a disregard for financial procedures.
The commission also raised concerns over D9 million in unaccounted travel expenses in 2022, including visa and itinerary costs for the Mayor’s office. Camara admitted the expenditures were improper, particularly one involving Rafela. “Even if you are scared, you should be able to say council funds cannot be used like that,” he stated.
The Lead Counsel concluded that public funds were being misused to benefit individuals close to those in power, with travel opportunities often handed to friends and associates.
