NACCUG Clears Former CDS Lt. Gen. Mamat O.A. Cham and Wife in Army Credit Union Loan Inquiry

By JarraNewsTV Staff Reporter

Banjul, The Gambia – Less than 24 hours after the resignation of former Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham, amid allegations of corruption and abuse of office circulating on social media, a review conducted by the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions of The Gambia (NACCUG) has reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing in relation to a loan facility obtained by his wife through the Gambia Armed Forces Cooperative Credit Union (GAFCCU).

In a statement issued on 29 May 2026, NACCUG said it launched an internal fact-finding review following widespread social media reports questioning the legitimacy of a loan transaction involving Mrs. Amie Secka, a registered member of GAFCCU.

According to the apex cooperative body, its investigation established that Mrs. Secka was a bona fide member of the credit union, having joined in August 2024 after GAFCCU expanded its membership eligibility to include non-military personnel. NACCUG emphasized that her membership did not violate any rules governing the institution.

The review further found that Mrs. Secka maintained consistent savings contributions for more than six months prior to applying for the loan and that the facility was approved and disbursed on 10 September 2025 in accordance with established lending procedures.

NACCUG stated that all eligibility requirements were met at the time of the application and approval, and that available documentation—including account records, guarantor documentation, transaction histories, and repayment receipts—supported the legitimacy of the transaction.

Significantly, the association reported that it found no evidence of procedural irregularities, abuse of office, or non-compliance with the credit union’s lending policies in the processing and issuance of the loan facility.

The statement also noted that the loan has since been fully repaid, adding that members’ savings and investments remain secure.

NACCUG further revealed that records reviewed during the inquiry showed that deposits into Mrs. Secka’s account were made directly by Sgt. Saine, who had publicly raised concerns about the transaction. According to the association, these records suggest that he should have been aware of the account’s savings history, loan eligibility status, and repayment capacity.

The development is likely to generate significant public debate given its timing, coming shortly after Lt. Gen. Cham’s departure from the country’s highest military office. While allegations against the former CDS gained considerable traction on social media, NACCUG’s findings indicate that, at least concerning the loan transaction involving his wife, no evidence has been found to substantiate claims of impropriety.

In its concluding remarks, NACCUG urged media houses, bloggers, and social media commentators to ensure accuracy and verification before publishing allegations concerning financial institutions and individuals. The organization warned that unverified claims could undermine public confidence in cooperative financial institutions that serve thousands of Gambians.

As public scrutiny continues over the circumstances surrounding Lt. Gen. Cham’s resignation, NACCUG’s findings represent the first official institutional response addressing one of the most widely discussed allegations linked to the former military chief and his family.

Ends.