Samba Leigh, the former CEO of Kerewan Area Council, has been quizzed by the Local Government Commission over monetary issues, as he faced tough questions pertaining to financial mismanagement and expenditures under his tenure that were inconsistent with due procedures.
The former CEO was equally engaged over questionable staff meal expenses and unexplained deposits into his personal bank accounts.
Council Staff Meals
The meals (lunches) were prepared by Binta Kinteh, a council cleaner informally assigned to cook for council staff.
Kinteh, who had previously testified before the Commission, told the commissioners that she was illiterate and had no knowledge of payment vouchers issued in her name.
She denied ever signing or authorizing financial documents, saying she only collected money from council officials to buy ingredients for cooking.
“I am a cleaner. After cleaning, they would ask me to help cook for them before I go home,” she testified.
Meanwhile, during his appearance, ex-CEO Leigh was presented with payment vouchers linked to the meal expenses, all of which were being approved by him and director of finance Abdoulie Keita. The documents included requisition letters written in Kinteh’s name, despite her inability to read or write.
“Someone in your office wrote that requisition?” asked lead counsel Patrick Gomez. Leigh responded in the affirmative.
When the lead counsel asked why such a practice was allowed, Leigh remained silent before conceding that Keita had written the requests in Kinteh’s name.
He admitted the process was improper, since it falsely included Kinteh in financial transactions that she was never part of.
Furthermore, Mr Leigh acknowledged that the procurement officer had not been involved, meaning the expenses lacked proper authorization. Four vouchers were entered into evidence.
D500,000 Voucher for Purchase of 690 Bags of Rice & Transactions
The Commission also examined a 500,000-dalasi voucher for the purchase of 690 bags of rice, which was said to be part of the council’s disaster relief contribution.
Another voucher, covering the cost of drinks and provisions for a council ceremony in Farafenni, was also submitted as evidence. Leigh admitted he personally signed, claimed, and approved the expenditure without independent oversight.
Moreover, in another instance, Leigh acknowledged hiring a consultant at a cost of D50,000 to prepare financial statements for the council without following procurement procedures.
He told the inquiry that the director of finance failed to conduct mandatory bank reconciliations, leading to inaccurate financial records.
The 2021 audit report found that the council’s financial statements contained did not accurately reflect its financial standing.
The Commission ordered Leigh to provide records of the consultant’s payment, which he did and the documents were entered into evidence.
Deposits into Personal Bank Account
At this juncture during hearing, the inquiry shifted its focus to the large sums deposited into Leigh’s personal bank accounts.
Evidence obtained by the Commission shows that revenue collectors deposited funds into Leigh’s accounts at Trust Bank, GTBank, FIB Bank, ECOBank, and Reliance Financial Services Ltd.
Leigh confirmed the deposits. He, however, claimed the monies came from his personal business dealings. On the D80,000 deposit by revenue collector Omar Ndow, he stated that the funds were used to purchase furniture for his official residence.
However, lead counsel Patrick Gomez pointed out that the transaction bypassed procurement regulations, making it impossible to verify whether the funds were used for legitimate council expenses or not.
Also, it came to the knowledge of the commissioners that his Omar Leigh, a revenue collector at the council, deposited D15,000 and D10,000 into his account in 2021 and 2022. Former CEO Leigh held that these were family gifts, but the commission questioned the timing and nature of the transactions.
In the same vein, Babou Ndure, another council revenue collector, withdrew large sums from the council’s account in 2022, some of which, according to Ndure’s testimony, were handed over to Leigh.
While Leigh denied receiving the money, the Commission presented evidence suggesting otherwise.
Nevertheless, Mr Leigh defended his use of personal bank accounts for transactions, arguing that it allowed for easier processing of payments. However, when confronted with procurement regulation violations, he admitted improper action.
“The procurement process must be followed strictly to avoid fraud and mismanagement,” lead counsel addressed, expressing that Leigh’s financial actions undermined accountability within the Council.
Despite earning a monthly salary of over D30,000, Leigh’s bank records reflected significantly larger sums and he struggled to provide clear explanation.
Meanwhile, the Commission’s investigation continues. Further inquiry is anticipated into Leigh’s financial activities to establish liability for misappropriation of funds or otherwise.
