The Government has ordered immediate suspension and criminal investigation of former KMC CEO Sainabou Martin Sonko after the Local Government Commission found she authorised irregular payments and loan guarantees that caused D696,609 loss to Council and D5 million disbursement to a non-operational transport company.
In its White Paper released 29 October, Government accepted findings that Sonko as Accounting Officer breached procurement laws by paying contractors without competitive bidding or committee clearance, executed welfare loan guarantees without Council approval including an AGIB guarantee of D800,000 and Trust Bank loan that led to direct debit from Council account, admitted receiving D30,000 inducement from a contractor in her office, and failed to enforce discipline, directing LGSC to suspend her, IGP to investigate Mbalit Project and related payments, and Auditor General to conduct forensic audit and surcharge.
The Commission was established in February 2023 by President under Section 200 of Constitution and Legal Notice No. 7 of 2023 to inquire into eight Local Government Councils.
Sonko appeared multiple times as former CEO of KMC, statutory head of administration and principal accounting authority responsible for operations, implementation of resolutions and compliance with financial and procurement laws.
Commission found she bore direct responsibility for safeguarding public funds and that reliance on mayoral instructions did not absolve statutory duties.
It found she authorised payments to contractors including General Procurement Services and Lang Karamo Suwareh without Contracts Committee clearance, competitive bidding or verification, breaching GPPA requirements.
It found she executed loan guarantees without Council resolutions, committee approval or risk assessment. Sheriff Njie confirmed Council guaranteed Trust Bank welfare loan of about D1 million after which D696,609 was debited directly from Council's main account on default.
It further found she approved salaries, allowances and telephone credits without legal basis and confirmed disbursement of about D5 million to Kanifing Municipal Transport despite company not being operational.
Commission noted admission that D30,000 was left in her office by contractor Almot Real Estate and not immediately returned, reflecting imprudent conduct, and that she failed to escalate unlawful directions.
Commission recommended immediate suspension, surcharge, economic crime and fitness review.
Government accepted suspension, referring matter to LGSC to suspend pending disciplinary proceedings, and directed IGP to investigate Mbalit Project and contractor payments, and Attorney General to institute proceedings for bribery against Sonko and Mr. Danso over D30,000. It directed Auditor General to audit all unlawful expenditures including D5 million to KMT and Staff Welfare loans and recover losses, and LGSC to review her fitness.
