By Buba Gagigo
Modou Lamin Jarjusey, former Gender and Health Minister of the University of The Gambia Students’ Union (UTGSU), has issued a public apology for his role in the unauthorized withdrawal of D1 million from the UTGSU Student Endowment Fund.
Jarjusey, in a written statement, expressed regret over his actions, which took place while he was still listed as a signatory to the account.
Jarjusey explained that the fund, initially established through the Migration and Sustainable Development Project (MSDG), was designed to offer financial support to underprivileged students. As part of a transitional committee responsible for managing the account, Jarjusey and his colleague, Muhammed B. Badjie, were tasked with overseeing the fund. However, due to administrative delays, their names remained as signatories even after their tenure in office had ended.
In November 2023, Jarjusey and Badjie withdrew the entire D1 million from the endowment fund, splitting the amount equally between them. Jarjusey admitted to using his D500,000 share for a personal emergency. He expressed deep remorse for allowing personal pressures to override his ethical obligations.
“I write to express my profound regret and offer an unreserved apology for my involvement in the withdrawal of money from the UTGSU Student Endowment Fund Account. As a former student leader of UTGSU, we were entrusted by the executive council to be part of a transitional committee tasked with the obligation to oversee and manage the endowment account, funded by the Migration and Sustainable Development Project, The Gambia (MSDG).”
“The committee was responsible for lobbying and mobilising funds to grow the account with the intention to provide financial assistance for underprivileged students. Upon completing my term in office, we initiated a handing-over process of the endowment account to the next council. We secured the bank forms, signed up the documents, but the process stalled due to an expired ID card of a succeeding signatory. A new date was arranged, but the change never occurred, leaving Muhammed B. Badjie and I in our roles as signatories to the account until the end of two successive councils after ours. In November 2023, Muhammed B. Badjie and I decided to withdraw the entire D1 million from the account, each taking D500,000. I used this money for an urgent personal need.” He explained.
Jarjusey has committed to repaying the full amount he withdrew and has called on his co-signatory, Muhammed B. Badjie, to do the same. He is in discussions with the current UTGSU council to establish a repayment plan for his share of the withdrawn funds.
“While this explanation is not an excuse or justification for my actions, I express it to give you a contextual understanding of how this unfortunate circumstance happened. And I take full responsibility for my poor judgment, and allow a certain level of pressure to cloud my values, moral, and ethical obligations. I have decided to engage the current council to agree on a feasible repayment plan of the amount I’m responsible for (D500,000). While I am committed to pay back the share of the money I took, I encourage my accomplice and co-signatory to the account, Muhammad B. Badjie, to take responsibility and pay in full his share of D500,000 to the UTGSU endowment account.” Jarjusey stated
In his statement, Jarjusey also extended a heartfelt apology to the entire student body, acknowledging the betrayal of trust his actions have caused. He described the past few days as difficult for both himself and his family and pleaded for forgiveness.
“Once again, I sincerely apologise to all current and former students of UTG for my action and conduct. And I honestly crave your understanding to forgive me for my act, which is both unexpected and unacceptable. The past few days have been extremely difficult for me, my friends, and my family. I hope you all find a good space in your hearts to forgive me as I am committed to repaying the full sum of my share. Moving forward, I am determined to take this experience as a painful lesson and to grow from it. I hope in time, I can earn back your trust and respect once again.” he concluded