By Sainabou Sambou
The High Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, on Thursday delved deeper into a high-stakes civil fraud case as GACH Global Trading Company Limited sought to recover over D58 million allegedly misappropriated in petroleum dealings linked to the Gam Petroleum Storage Facility.
GACH Global, owned by prominent businessman Abubakary Jawara, accuses former employee Khadijatou Kebbeh (first defendant) and Saihou Drammeh, ex-Managing Director of Gam Petroleum (second defendant), of fraudulently handling funds meant for fuel supplies. The plaintiff is represented by Counsel I.D. Drammeh, while Counsel K. Jallow appears for Kebbeh and Counsel B.S. Conteh for Drammeh.
The session featured intense cross-examination of defence witnesses, with revelations about cash handovers, delayed vessel arrivals, and assurances amid swirling rumours.
Khadijatou Kebbeh Takes the Stand
Testifying as Defence Witness One (DW1), Khadijatou Kebbeh faced sharp questioning from plaintiff’s counsel I.D. Drammeh regarding key exhibits.
She confirmed familiarity with Exhibit P8, an invoice tied to the D58 million at the centre of the dispute, and Exhibit P9, related to fuel supplied by GACH Global. Kebbeh explained that the relevant entity did not employ her at the time of the initial transaction and that payments for fuel deliveries were typically made 4 to 5 days after the delivery.
She testified that Saihou Drammeh continued to supply fuel even after receiving the D58 million payment—until his eventual arrest.
On Exhibit P10, an invoice to Gambia Petroleum Company (GPC) for $221,000 (originally totalling $235,000 after a discount), Kebbeh described it as covering approximately 390 tonnes of fuel. She said GPC paid $235,000, from which a $14,000 commission was deducted, leaving $221,000 to be returned to Saihou Drammeh.
Kebbeh recounted being detained at a police station, where—according to her—Counsel Conteh and Saihou Drammeh urged patience, assuring her a vessel carrying replacement fuel would dock within two days to replenish stocks at the Gam Petroleum depot. Family members were present during these discussions, and she said an agreement was reached to allow time.
She alleged that Conteh later visited GACH to negotiate the purchase of fuel to replace the missing supply. When it was suggested that the visit concerned another debt, she insisted it was for replenishment purposes.
Kebbeh described damaging online rumours blaming GACH and Jawara for draining depot tanks, which she said unfairly tarnished Jawara’s reputation. Jawara reportedly questioned why he was implicated despite payment, with assurances that the arriving vessel would resolve everything.
She testified to two weeks of discussions between Jawara and Drammeh, during which Jawara granted time for replenishment. Kebbeh maintained that neither Jawara nor GACH staff knew Drammeh was allegedly taking fuel without authorization.
She claimed she was arrested at home and, while in custody, Drammeh and Conteh allegedly pressed her not to mention Drammeh’s name, citing the vessel’s imminent arrival. She said she later included Conteh in her police statement. Two weeks afterward, she learned Conteh had been detained.
Concluding her evidence, Kebbeh asserted she had not been paid for her role and felt unfairly treated, insisting she was not a party to any wrongdoing.
Haruna Kebbeh Testifies as DW2
Haruna Kebbeh, a businessman and brother to Khadijatou Kebbeh, appeared as Defence Witness Two (DW2). He adopted his prior witness statement, given to investigators on 29 December 2025, which the court admitted as evidence.
Under cross-examination by Counsel Conteh, Haruna admitted delivering money to Saihou Drammeh without obtaining a receipt. He was accompanied by a taxi driver who stayed in the vehicle. He found Drammeh in his living room, handed over the bag in the presence of Lie Saine (also identified as Abdoulie Saine in related reports), but did not count the money or note denominations.
“I only know it was money,” he said, describing simply handing over the bag.
Conteh suggested he was lying to protect his sister, but Haruna emphatically denied it: “I swear on the Holy Quran that I am not lying.”
In further cross-examination by I.D. Drammeh, Haruna said Drammeh showed no surprise upon receiving the money, as prior communication had prepared him. It was Haruna’s first time meeting Drammeh, and he left immediately after the handover.
Case Developments
The first defendant’s case closed following the testimony. Justice Jaiteh adjourned proceedings to 11 March 2026 at 12:00 PM for continuation.
