Gambia Launches Probe into Dubious Sale of Jammeh’s Luxury Cars, Boats, and Livestock

Some of Jammeh’s luxury cars are not on the list of the sold assets

Banjul | iNewsAfrica – The Gambian government has opened a formal investigation into the controversial sale of luxury cars, boats, and cattle seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, amid growing public outrage over alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency.

The assets, which were confiscated following Jammeh’s 2017 exile, were reportedly sold off even while an official panel was still auditing the vast wealth he accumulated during his 22-year rule. Revelations from a local newspaper investigation, exposing suspected irregularities in the asset sales, have sparked widespread protests—particularly from Gambia’s youth.

In response, President Adama Barrow has pledged “full transparency” and confirmed that the assets “belong to the people.” Parliament and the National Audit Office are said to be conducting parallel inquiries into the sales and management of the seized properties.

Jammeh, who rose to power through a 1994 coup, has long been accused of gross human rights abuses and plundering state resources. Investigations have linked him to the theft of at least $360 million, allegedly spent on luxury vehicles, private jets, and real estate.

Now living in exile in Equatorial Guinea, Jammeh has denied all wrongdoing. However, the current controversy underlines the deep-rooted challenges facing transitional democracies like Gambia—particularly around accountability, public trust, and the responsible handling of recovered state assets.

iNewsAfrica will continue to monitor developments in this ongoing national probe.