Sanna Sawaneh, Audit Director
By Fatou Sillah
The Audit Director of the Banjul City Council, Sanna Sawaneh, appeared before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Monday, where he was questioned about the council’s 2022 audit report. While presenting several other audit reports, Sawaneh failed to submit the 2022 report, prompting the commission’s lead counsel, Patrick Gomez, to demand an explanation.
During the proceedings, Gomez inquired whether Sawaneh had received the 2022 audit report from his predecessor. In response, Sawaneh stated that he had only brought internal audit reports based on the directives outlined in a letter he had received, which specified eight internal audit reports.
The lead counsel instructed Sawaneh to submit the missing audit report by the following day. He further questioned the witness about whether he had been provided with a financial statement.
“You were given a financial statement”? He Asked
Sawaneh confirmed that he had received several documents, including the council’s budget estimates for 2020, 2021, and 2023, as well as external audit reports for 2017, 2019, and 2020. However, he could not confirm the exact number of documents contained in the 2022 audit file.
“Yes, council budget income, council budget estimate for the years 2020, 2021, 2023. I was given those. An external audit report for 2017, 2019,2020” and other reports.”
The counsel inquired about the number of documents in the 2022 audit file. The witness responded that he was unaware of the exact number of files in the document.
“You did not visit those documents; you didn’t check those documents; you didn’t examine them.” The Counsel asked the witness.
The witness explained that while he does examine the documents, he finds them irrelevant to his work.
“I do examined them, but basically the documents that were in that file, they were no use to me.” he stated. “Why is that?” the counsel inquired.
The witness explained that he had been concentrating on more recent files rather than those in the 2022 file. When the counsel asked which year he assumed office, the witness responded that he took over on May 1, 2023.
“If you are to speak along those lines, it means you are not ready to do your job; you are given a file for 2022; you took over in 2023, not even halfway through 2023; you should have interest in it. You should have interest in how the institution was being managed when you took over to know the challenges ahead; if you are saying you don’t have interest, it means you are not competent in what you do, Mr. Sawaneh, as simple as that,” counsel said.
After a series of exchanges with the witness, the lead counsel requested that all audit findings contained in the 2020 file be presented. Chairperson Jainaba Bah upheld the counsel’s request and ordered the witness to submit the files the following day.
Sawaneh denied any attempt to conceal evidence, assuring the commission that he would comply with the order to present the audit findings. “I am not hiding anything,” he stated.
He also mentioned that he had prepared reports since assuming office and was instructed by the counsel to submit those reports as well.