By Kexx Sanneh
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, has filed a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeal, challenging the Commission of Inquiry’s findings against him on the conduct of local government councils and connected matters.
The civil appeal was filed on the grounds that the Commission erred in finding that Talib Bensouda had exercised political and executive influence in a manner capable of causing or sustaining irregular commitments, unauthorised expenditure, irregular project direction, and extra-statutory financial exposure.
The appeal invokes Section 204 of the Constitution, which provides a mechanism for appeal against findings made by commissions of inquiry. The Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of local government councils and connected matters issued its adverse findings against Talib Bensouda in a Notice to an Adversely Mentioned Person dated 12 May 2026. The notice was issued by the Secretary to the Commission of Inquiry, and Mr Bensouda’s appeal to the Court of Appeal was filed within the prescribed timeframe set out in paragraph 3 and the rules governing appeals from such findings.
The Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of local government councils and connected matters was established as a mechanism to investigate governance, financial management, and administrative conduct across local government authorities. The Commission’s terms of reference extended to examining whether officeholders had engaged in conduct that breached constitutional duties, statutory obligations, or principles of accountability.
Local government councils are responsible for developmental initiatives, budgetary management, and service delivery at the municipal level. The investigation was initiated against a backdrop of public concern regarding governance standards, expenditure accountability, and the use of local authority funds.
Grounds of Appeal. Talib Bensouda’s appeal challenges the core factual finding upon which the adverse report was based. According to the Notice of Appeal, Talib Bensouda (appellant) contends that the Commission erred on the facts when it held that he had exercised political and executive influence in a manner capable of causing or sustaining irregular commitments, unauthorised expenditure, irregular project direction, and extra-statutory financial exposure.
Talib Bensouda (appellant) further advances particulars of the alleged error, asserting that:
The Commission did not specify what expenditure the appellant exercised influence over which was unauthorised or irregular;
All payments made by the Kanifing Municipal Council were authorised by the Accounting Officers of the Council;
The appellant was not an accounting officer and could not have authorised payments;
Finally, Talib Bensouda (appellant), as the duly elected Mayor of the Municipality, had a mandate to ensure that the Kanifing Municipal Council’s business was conducted properly and lawfully, as required when he was elected.
In the Notice of Appeal, Mr Bensouda has also indicated that the names and addresses of the persons directly affected by the appeal are those set out in paragraph 5 of the notice. The appellant seeks the reliefs set out in paragraph 4: a full determination of the appeal and an order setting aside the whole of the finding made by the Commission of Inquiry.Section 204 of the 1997 Constitution establishes the framework for commission inquiries and provides that persons adversely mentioned in such inquiries have a right of appeal.The provision reflects the principle that individuals must have access to remedies where findings have been made against them that could affect their reputation, livelihood, or legal standing.
The appeal proceedings will now determine whether the Commission’s findings were supported by evidence, whether the appellant had the authority or capacity to commit the acts alleged, and whether the Commission properly applied the burden of proof and rules of natural justice.The case is now before the Court of Appeal and Kexx News will follow it. The court’s judgment will determine whether the Commission’s adverse findings against Mr Bensouda are upheld or set aside.