By Sainabou Sambou
In a high-stakes civil fraud case shaking Gambia’s business community, Kaddijatou Kebbeh, the first defendant and former employee of GACH Global Trading Company, took the stand on Wednesday and confirmed personally delivering a substantial cash payment to Saihou Drammeh, the second defendant and ex-Managing Director of Gam Petroleum.
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul presided over the proceedings, in which GACH Global—owned by prominent businessman Abubakary Jawara—is suing Kebbeh and Drammeh to recover over 58 million dalasis. The plaintiff alleges fraud and theft in petroleum product transactions, claiming that the defendants misappropriated funds intended for fuel supplies from the Gam Petroleum Storage Facility.
Counsel I. D. Drammeh appeared for the plaintiff, while Counsel K. Jallow represented Kebbeh. Counsels B. S. Conteh and S. Akimbo defended Drammeh.
The suit seeks $221,000 for petroleum products, $1,600 in commission allegedly paid to Kebbeh for facilitating a September 16, 2021, agreement, D1 million in legal fees, plus accrued interest.
Kebbeh, identifying herself as a businesswoman, affirmed her identity as the first defendant. The court struck out her original affidavit from January 20, 2022, and adopted her amended affidavit, sworn on May 21, 2025, as her evidence-in-chief.
Under direct examination by her lawyer, K. Jallow, Kebbeh testified that she personally handed over $221,000 in cash to Saihou Drammeh. She explained that this followed a total transaction of $234,000, from which a $30,000 commission was deducted. Drammeh, she said, continued supplying petroleum products based on the payment received.
Kebbeh stressed there was no written receipt for the cash handover, but the arrangement was verbally confirmed via telephone with plaintiff Abubakary Jawara. She added that a separate payment was made in October through her brother for another supply, insisting that all transactions followed GACH’s instructions and were acknowledged by Drammeh.
During cross-examination by Counsel S. Akimbo for the second defendant, Kebbeh faced questions on documentation and Drammeh’s acknowledgment of the funds. She maintained that Drammeh received the money and proceeded with the supplies as directed. She clarified that related police station negotiations involved other parties, not her directly.
Kebbeh further disclosed handing over D1,300,000 (one million three hundred thousand dalasis) to Abdoulie Saine, who requested it as a loan on behalf of Saihou Drammeh and Fatu Camara. She emphasized this was separate from any Kanifing Magistrate’s Court matter involving Saine, who had been arrested and detained at the Sukuta police station. Kebbeh said her dealings with Saine were strictly tied to GACH business and that she had not initiated any proceedings.
The matter was adjourned to February 26, 2026, for continuation.
