The Financial Intelligence Unit’s evidence in the National Assembly investigation into the shady $30 million purchase of petroleum items from a Russian ship was not allowed to be covered by journalists yesterday.

Sainey Jawara, a member of the National Assembly, and Marie Therese Gomez, the acting registrar of companies, provided testimony to the inquiry that was reported by the media.

The director of committees, however, asked that the reporters leave the meeting after stating that it was closed to the press when they came for yesterday’s session.

He clarified that the meeting would be held behind closed doors per the decision made by the joint committee made up of FPAC and PEC.

The meeting was characterized by the director as a “consultation” between the committee and the FIU. Journalists were barred entrance even after they begged to cover the event without revealing the identities of any witnesses.

All FIU reporting to the Assembly, including the FPAC, is often done behind closed doors, according to a senior Assembly member.

Due to the sensitive nature of FIU’s work, the meeting was held behind closed doors at their request, according to Hon. Lamin J. Sanneh, chairman of FPAC.

Three firms, Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics, are suspected of importing and selling petroleum products in The Gambia without paying taxes. The investigation is looking into charges of bribery and tax evasion.

It’s also said that Sainey Jawara, the NAM from Lower Saloum who had brought up the resolution asking parliament to launch an investigation into the case, was not allowed entry to yesterday’s meeting.

The politician himself was a witness in the investigation, and he might return to appear before the committee, according to a committee official.

According to NAM Jawara, who spoke with The Standard, the public is “dissatisfied” with how the processes are currently being handled. He declared, “Everyone needs to know the whole story.”

In his testimony, Jawara referenced a FIU report that claimed the opening of sub-accounts at Access Bank and Ecobank by these companies [Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics] was “not in line” with the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing Act of 2012.

Jawara claimed that the FIU had also stated that the goods had been imported into the nation without following the proper procedures.