By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Abdoulie Keita was arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court on allegation of making forged American passport contrary to section 320(b) of the Criminal Code.
The prosecution charged him with three counts of criminal offenses: making false documents, forgery, and uttering false documents.
In the first count, which is making false documents, the prosecution alleged that Abdoulie Keita, sometime in December 2021, in The Gambia, made or prepared a false American passport No. 595965794 bearing his name. On the second count (forgery), the prosecution alleged that Abdoulie Keita during the same period, with intent to defraud or deceive, forged an American passport No. 595965794 bearing his name. On count three (uttering false documents), the prosecution alleged that Abdoulie Keita with intent to defraud or deceive, presented a counterfeit American passport bearing the number 595965794 and his name to Mamie Fatou Sallah. He falsely claimed to be an American citizen employed by the National Security Agency (NSA) and stationed in Senegal with oversight responsibilities in The Gambia.
The accused, Abdoulie Keita, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution opened their case.
The prosecution’s first witness was Kemo Dibba, a resident of Kerr Sering and an immigration officer (AICO 23/84) assigned to the immigration intelligence unit.
Mr. Dibba testified that he recognized the accused, Abdoulie Keita, during an encounter in Brusubi. It was the testimony of Dibba that in December 2021, he received a phone call from Musa Keita, an official from the Gambia Immigration Department, requesting a meeting at the Brusubi turntable. Upon arriving at the designated location, he joined Musa Keita, Bakary Saidykhan in a vehicle and proceeded to Brufut Taf. During the drive, Musa Keita briefed him that they had received information about one Abdoulie Keita who is involved in the forgery of documents.
He testified that upon arrival at the house, they met the watchman who said Abdoulie Keita (the accused) wasn’t at home. They waited for an hour and then saw a black car come. The watchman opened the gate, and the driver drove into the compound.
After the watchman welcomed them, they (Musa Keita, Bakary Saidykhan, and himself) went into the house. They introduced themselves to Abdoulie Keita (the accused), who said that he knew they were his colleagues as soon as he saw them. Abdoulie Keita asked them to sit down and introduced himself as part of the National Security of America (NSA) in Gambia and that he also oversees Senegal.
The witness said that the accused opened his laptop and connected it to the TV screen. The NSA logo appeared on the screen, and he started pretending to make calls. They asked him to produce his documents, and he opened his briefcase and took out his Gambian birth certificate, Senegalese birth certificate, American driving licence, a British passport with a different name but his picture, and an American passport on his phone with his name, picture, and other details. When they asked about the physical passport, he said he left it in Dakar.
He further stated that after reviewing all the documents, they requested him to accompany them to the nearest police station, which was Brusubi police station. His statements were obtained from him, and he was subsequently charged and detained.
He explained that the accused was detained due to the possession of a fraudulent Gambian birth certificate in which he had inserted his photograph, a counterfeit passport, and a fake American passport. He added that the following day, he was taken to Banjul Immigration for further questioning, and his documents were handed over to Commissioner Keita.
He testified that during their investigation, information was gathered indicating his involvement in defrauding individuals, and he was subsequently transferred to the Gambia Police Fraud Unit in connection with the complaints.
The case was adjourned until November 13, 2024, for cross-examination.
