Gambia Plans to Charge Ex-President Jammeh for Theft, Corruption

Gambia's Jammeh, a former iron-fist ruler who claimed to have extraordinary powers, now lives in Equatorial Guinea (Photo Credit: EPA)

Gambia urged to show greater commitment in fight against money laundering

…asked to address deficiencies to avoid blacklist 

Besides money laundering and terrorism-financing threats, there is still a high perception of public corruption in The Gambia, according to reports.

Gambia: Progress slow in implementation of money laundering measures

Recent seizures of cocaine and marijuana demonstrate, the country is also one of the routes for drug trafficking in West Africa, GIABA says. (Photo shows cocaine bust, estimated to worth $1 billion, June 2010, Banjul)

Gambian man charge with money laundering

The police in Banjul Wednesday charged a Gambian man with money laundering.

Omar Jallow, who denied the charge, is accused of receiving 38, 000 pounds (D2, 280, 000) from one Dodou Njie, a UK-based Gambian, through a Guaranty Trust Bank Account No: 201-1-114897-1590 with intent to conceal or render assistance.

The police said Mr Jallow knows or have reason to believe that the money has being laundered by the sender Dodou Njie or must have being unlawfully obtained.

He was not represented by a lawyer when he appeared at the Kanifing Magistrate Court on April 30, 2014.

Gambia should quickly finalise national anti-money laundering strategy

GIABA’s director of research, Mr Mu’Azu Umaru speaking on behalf on director general of GIABA, Adama Coulibaly - Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/GNJaML

The director general of the Inter-governmental action group against money laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Adama Coulibaly, has advised The Gambia to “quickly finalise” its national anti-money laundering and counter-financing terrorism (AML/CFT) strategy.
 

Gambia has chosen to develop a national strategy that will serve as a driving force for deepening of its AML/CFT system.

In a statement read on his behalf during an April 1-3 “stakeholders workshop to develop the strategy” at a local hotel in Kololi, The Gambia, Mr Coulibaly said the timing is auspicious as the second round of evaluations for GIABA member states is set to begin in the last quarter of 2015.

The Gambia: Expulsion of Lebanese business mogul withdrawn

President Jammeh, who sent Tajudeen packing in June, says the Lebanese business magnet is free to return (Photo Credit: AFP)

A Lebanese business tycoon who was asked out of The Gambia on June 4 by President Jammeh has been told on Friday he can return.  

Hussein Tajudeen, proprietor of Tajco Company Limited, was declared Persona Non-Grata and asked to leave the West African country within 72 hours over allegations he was “involved in undesirable business activities which have very serious health and economic consequences to the people and State [of The Gambia].”

Now, an October 25 press statement stated the Gambian leader has pardoned Mr Tajudeen and has given him the green light to return as of this month.  

Criminals look for vulnerable sectors to launder their proceeds – Dr Shehu

GIABA DG Dr. Abdullahi Shehu says criminals are stepping-up their illicit actiities (Photo Credit: Modou S. Joof/2012)

Following the implementation of regional and national Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures with emphasis on financial institutions, criminals look for vulnerable sectors through which they could launder their proceeds, according to Dr. Abdullahi Shehu.

The Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) explain on Wednesday that one such vulnerable sector is the designated non-financial instititions, business professions (DNFBPs).

DNFBPs comprises of accountants, real estate agents, lawyers, notaries, and other independent legal profesionals, he said during a GIABA-organised training on the AML/CFT requirements for accountants in English-speaking West Africa from 11 to 12 September, 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia.

GIABA bring AML/CFT requirements to West African accountants in Banjul

Photo Credit: Modou S. Joof/2012

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements has been brought to the attention of accountants in English-speaking West Africa by GIABA.

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, is holding a training on the AML/CFT requirements from 11 to 12 September, 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) revised standards place obligations on accounting professionals to adopt and implement AML/CFT measures, including risk assessment and application of the Risk-Based Approach to AML/CFT implementation, GIABA said.

GIABA responds to low performance of financial sector in West Africa

The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

‘African countries incapable of dealing with terrorism in isolation’

Dr. Abdullahi Shehu (right), Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), addresses the Security Council meeting on combating terrorism in Africa, 13 May 2013 (Photo Credit: GIABA Communications)

GIABA: Ghana and Nigeria making anti-money laundering progress

English: Logo of The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Русский: Логотип Межправительственной группы по борьбе с отмыванием денег в Западной Африке (ГИАБА) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Watchful GIABA says current AML/CFT framework may force money launderers and extremist groups to adopt tactical changes

A vigilant Dr Abdullahi Shehu says anti-money laundering laws must be re-examine

WA’s implementation of FATF Recommendations hampered by low technical know-how, financial resources

GIABA DG launches 2011 Report in Dakar, Senegal

Giaba drag civil society into fight

West Africa’s Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering (GIABA) on Tuesday concluded a regional sensitization workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on AML/CFT in the Senegalese capital of Dakar.

The August 6-7, 2012 event is meant to sensitize civil society organizations on AML/CFT issues and related implications in the West African sub-region; to get members of the civil society actively committed to their role as champions against these twin scourges by spreading the message at grassroots level; to establish links and a solid network of CSOs engaged in the fight as a means of sharing experiences and knowledge within the sub-region; and finally, to build the capacity of CSOs and empower them to take ownership of the fight against ML/FT.  

West Africa’s anti-money laundering efforts in catch-22

Considerable efforts to deal with money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) in West Africa at the national, regional and the international levels, have been inhibited by several challenges, according to the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering (GIABA).

These challenges include: legal and constitutional challenges; lack of proper autonomy of some regulatory and enforcement institutions, along with budgetary constraint; equipment and logistics problem; and absence of robust national ML/TF strategies.

It said where national AM/TF strategies exist, they are yet to be approved or implemented. The sub region is also challenged by non functional inter-ministerial committees to coordinate efforts at the national level and ensure synergy; and weak strategic and operational cooperation at the regional and international levels.

Gambia: Proceeds of crime mainly derived from drug, corruption

GIABA DG launches 2011 Report in Dakar, Senegal

Although the Gambia is not a known money laundering (ML) hub in West Africa, the extent to which the prevalent predicate narcotic offences are related to money laundering is not clear. 

What is clear is that the proceeds of crime in the country are mainly derived from drug trafficking, bribery and corruption, the tourism industry, foreign exchange transactions, and other related acquisitive crimes.

Burning to curb Gambia’s drug habit

Gambia's Drug Squad destroys illicit drugs/PHOTO: Modou S. Joof

Gambia’s National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) on Tuesday set ablaze 3 tonnes, 15 kilos and 47 grams of cannabis, 8 kilos and 2 grams of cocaine, and 20 grams of heroin. 

Held along the Old Cape Road on the outskirts of the Town of Bakau on July 3, 2012, the agency said the exercise is meant to show seriousness in the fight against illicit drugs.

Gambia: Parliament Approves Anti-Graft Commission Bill

An anti-graft commission bill meant to punish crimes of official corruption has been passed into law by Gambia’s parliament on June 28, 2012.

The 40page “The Gambia Anti-Corruption Bill, 2012” provides for the setting up of an Anti-Corruption Commission that will hold a mandate of investigating and prosecuting crimes of corruption committed by Gambians within and outside the country.

Kolley urges W/A journalists to portray corruption

PIX: Participants, facilitators, & Gambia's Minister of Finance

Hon. Abdou Kolley, Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs has called on West African journalists to assist their various governments in exposing corrupt people and systems. 

He said it is excepted of them to do their job by reporting issues in a professional manner, a role he believe only highly skilled investigative reporters can carry out effectively.

Banjul host sub-regional anti-money laundering seminar for journalists

Journalists from Anglophone West Africa will converge in the Gambian capital, Banjul this Thursday for a “Sensitization seminar on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT)”.

The June 28-29 seminar is organised by the sub-regional Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and hosted by a Network of Journalists reporting on money laundering and related financial crimes in The Gambia.  The network will be officially launched at the seminar.

The objectives of the seminar are to expose journalists to the knowledge of AML/CFT framework; to assist journalists to produce reports and articles or features of quality on AML/CFT issues; and to improve the network of journalists who will assist GIABA in disseminating information on the AML/CFT systems in West Africa.