A newspaper investigation exposed alleged irregularities and an apparent lack of transparency in the sale of the assets, sparking protests organised by young people. President Adama Barrow promised "full transparency" in the probe, stating recovered assets "belong to the people." Jammeh, who ruled after a 1994 coup, was accused of embezzling $360 million and human rights abuses before fleeing to Equatorial Guinea in 2017.
However, critics dismissed the assurances, demanding an independent probe, citing parliamentary bias. Rights groups called for a halt to the asset sales.