Presidential adviser Dou Sanno has publicly addressed allegations of tractor theft, denying the claims after Foni Kansala National Assembly Member (NAM) Almameh Gibba accused him at a political rally in Ballen Village over the weekend. Mr. Sanno stated the tractor was a gift, not stolen property, asserting, "The tractor was given to me by the Ministry of Agriculture through the former Minister, the late Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ) in consultation with the former Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, the late Dawda Fadera." He added that the Government Vehicle Control office was aware, noting, "every record has been taken." Mr. Sanno challenged Mr. Gibba to apologize or take the matter to court.
Allegations Surface at Rally
Witness Sergeant Omar Jagne testified at a parliamentary enquiry concerning the sale and handling of former president Jammeh’s assets. Sergeant Jagne informed the enquiry last October that he observed presidential adviser Dou Sanno arrive at the Kotu Vehicle Maintenance site, MSA, where he inspected a tractor before departing the premises. Sergeant Jagne alleged that Mr. Sanno subsequently dispatched his driver to retrieve the tractor. According to Sergeant Jagne, Mr. Sanno's driver arrived with a new battery, which he then fitted to the tractor, enabling him to drive the vehicle away from the site. This testimony contradicts Mr. Sanno's assertion that the tractor was a gift from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Sanno's Defense and Justification
Presidential adviser Dou Sanno confirmed that he received the tractor but adamantly denied any fraudulent activity in its acquisition. Mr. Sanno stated, "The tractor was given to me by the Ministry of Agriculture through the former Minister, the late Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ) in consultation with the former Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, the late Dawda Fadera." He further asserted that the Government Vehicle Control office possessed full knowledge of the transaction, stating, "The Government Vehicle Control office too is aware of everything and every record has been taken." Mr. Sanno questioned how such a transaction could be deemed theft when multiple officials were aware, challenging Foni Kansala National Assembly Member Almameh Gibba to apologize or pursue legal action.
Political Accusations and Rebuttals
Presidential adviser Dou Sanno responded to the allegations by accusing Foni Kansala National Assembly Member Almameh Gibba of engaging in deceptive political tactics, further labeling Mr. Gibba as a "failure." Mr. Sanno contended that Mr. Gibba had never been a member of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), but rather belonged to the People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS). According to Mr. Sanno, Mr. Gibba only aligned himself with the "Jammeh bandwagon" after the change of government. Mr. Sanno maintained his stance on the tractor, asserting, "The tractor was given to me by the Ministry of Agriculture through the former Minister, the late Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ) in consultation with the former Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, the late Dawda Fadera. The Government Vehicle Control office too is aware of everything and every record has been taken. So how can anyone call that stealing when all these officials were aware of it?" He reiterated, "That was not stealing, it was given to me. So I am asking Almameh Gibba to come out and apologise. I also want to challenge him to take the issue to court if he genuinely believes I stole that tractor. Nobody sympathises a thief, so let him go to court."