The pinnacle of the Enterprise Banking Division on the Commonplace Chartered Financial institution, Abdoulie Sanneh, yesterday informed the Native Authorities Fee of Inquiry at Senegambia that the financial institution has just one lively checking account belonging to a council.
“Your financial institution was summoned to provide sure paperwork earlier than the Fee. Have been you capable of get these paperwork? requested Lead Counsel Yakarr Cox.
“Sure,” the witness responded, “we got an inventory of council names to verify whether or not we maintain accounts for them, and now we have realised that we solely received one lively account in the mean time, which is Basse Space Council. [for] Banjul Metropolis Council we had an account with them however it was closed in 2020. So I used to be capable of get statements for Basse Space Council after which BCC from 2018 to 2020. The remainder of the councils – Kuntaur, Mansakonko and Janjangbureh – we had an account with them however they have been closed means earlier than 2017.”
The witness tendered to the counsel the financial institution assertion for Banjul Space Council to the Fee, which has a begin date of seven December 2016 and an finish date of 15 December 2020. The opening stability was D161.65.
As confirmed by the witness, the Fee realised that there was little transaction and exercise in relation to the account. The doc was exhibited and tendered into proof, following an software by Lead Counsel Cox.
Witness continued his testimony, saying: “The second assertion is the assertion for Basse Space Council. Like I stated, it’s a dormant account. Dormant accounts means accounts which have had no transactions for 12 months. So when there’s nothing in an account for 12 months, the account turns to dormancy. So this account is a dormant account which is on the verge of closure.”
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“So I’ve received a press release which is dated from the thirtieth of December 2017 so far. The account is in a debit of D6,000. It’s a present account.”
The doc was additionally tendered into proof.
Regarding the signatories to the stated accounts, Mr Sanneh informed commissioners: “We begin with Banjul Metropolis Council. So the account operates for any two to signal. That is how it’s within the system; we do not have the primary title however the second title is A.F. Othman and D.F. Bojang, Mustpha Bathily, O. Badjie and S. Faal. So these are the 5 signatories now we have within the system, and it’s for any two to signal. As per the signing guidelines, any two can signal a cheque or any transaction within the financial institution.
“[For] Basse Space Council, now we have received a great deal of them. Bakary Laineh, Bubacarr M.J. Kanteh, Ebrima Okay. Sarr, Eduwarr A.Okay. Seckan, Ebrima N. Jaweh, M. Mrenarh/Marenah, Maudeh S. Baldeh, Momodou S. Jaiteh, Morro Keita, Mustapha F.M. Jobe and Pa Saat Ceesay. This one is also for any two to signal.”
Mr Sanne’s testimony ultimately ended.
“Thanks very a lot. We respect your swift response. If and once we require you to make clear points for us, we might name you in,” Commissioner Jainaba Bah, chairperson of the Fee, informed the witness following the conclusion of his testimony.
