The hearing revealed extensive concerns about hiring practices, conflicts of interest, consultancy contracts, and administrative oversight.
Bensouda explained that Lawyer Yassin Senghore was appointed by the Establishment and Appointment Committee of the council. Senghore had previously served as a subject matter specialist on the same committee. Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez questioned the fairness of appointing someone already familiar with council operations. Bensouda defended the move, saying that Senghore’s knowledge of the council made her the best candidate for the role.
Gomez asked whether the other proposed lawyers were given equal consideration. Bensouda said he did not know, only that discussions had been held about all three candidates.
The inquiry then turned to appointments of individuals with political connections to the mayor, including Nuru Deen Adams, his former campaign protocol officer, and Isatou Faal, appointed PR manager. Gomez referred to testimony from councillor Habib Ceesay and former CEO Salama Njie, stating that the mayor handed over a list of preferred individuals to be appointed, highlighting alleged conflicts of interest.
Bensouda denied the claim, he testified that following his election, hundreds of people wanted to work at the council. “I wish I had the power to appoint all of them,” he said.
He stated that he referred all interested individuals to councillor Habib Ceesay and Dembo Jah.
When asked if he attended Establishment and Appointment Committee meetings, Bensouda initially said no. However, Gomez presented meeting minutes showing the mayor was present with former CEO Salama Njie and committee members, including Senghore.
The inquiry revealed that Isatou Faal was appointed on June 7, 2018, the same day her application was submitted, despite the committee’s discussion concluding that her appointment should be put on hold.
Bensouda admitted the appointment was “incorrect” and noted that Faal was placed on grade 10.1, one of the highest salary grades in the country, despite only holding a certificate or diploma in IT.
Bensouda defended the decision by explaining the distinction between direct and indirect entry hiring, claiming the scheme of service allowed for individuals to pursue further education while holding managerial roles. He insisted that council approval and voting supported her continued appointment, despite gaps in formal qualifications.
The mayor acknowledged that his uncle, Baboucar Jammeh, and his aunty, Adama Jammeh, were employed by the council. However, he clarified that Baboucar was initially asked to resign due to conflict-of-interest concerns and later employed in his private NGO. Bensouda maintained that these were isolated cases among over 1,200 staff members and denied widespread favoritism.
The inquiry examined contracts awarded to Mustapha Kanyi also known as Kanjura Kanyi, Adama Jammeh, and Saihou M. Sabally. Kanyi’s contracts spanned: 1 October 2022, 10 February 2022, and 14 January 2021, while Jammeh and Sabally’s contracts were issued multiple times between 2019 and 2023. Bensouda confirmed the contracts and explained that before 2019, council appointments were handled internally due to the absence of a Local Government Service Commission (LGSC).
After 2019, the service commission was fully constituted, and councils were informed that staff appointments and extensions should be submitted for approval.
Bensouda defended the extensions, citing Kanyi’s effectiveness in managing local operations and financial recoveries, and the institutional memory of Jammeh and Sabally. He added that the council believed contracts could be renewed for staff based on clauses allowing two-year extensions up to three times.
Bensouda described Kanyi as a consultant, not a staff member, noting his role in stabilizing the market, recovering D23 million from NAWEC and D7 million from a businessman, and implementing a Red Flag System to prevent fires at the Bakoteh dumpsite.
However, Gomez challenged the legality and propriety of Kanyi’s appointment, highlighting that he lacked formal qualifications, was paid above managerial grades, and engaged in procurement activities, including multiple imprests.
One notable incident involved a D1 million cash disbursed to Kanyi for the procurement of spare parts in Senegal, with no evidence of actual procurement. Gomez emphasized that KMC should have followed GPPA procurement procedures, requiring quotations from at least three providers. Bensouda argued that the amounts were below D500,000 and thus fell under council discretion, a position Gomez disputed.
The inquiry reviewed a letter sent to Kanyi by the director of administration, Dembo S.N. Sanneh, regarding D180,000 in unretired funds. Kanyi was given a retirement deadline and later suspended for two weeks without salary following alleged misconduct. Kanyi reportedly responded to the suspension letter with insults, stating he would “use the original letter as toilet paper.” Bensouda described the letter as “terrible” and confirmed he was not copied on it.
