By Mariama Marong
Presidential adviser Dou Sannoh has filed a criminal complaint against Lamin Ceesay, alleging that he was defrauded of a BMW vehicle valued at D250,000 and a fiscal sum of sixty thousand dalasis, under the pretext of being allocated a plot of land in Jambur. The case is currently before Magistrate Isatou Jallow at the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court. Sergeant Alieu Faye is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, while Counsel Baldeh is representing the accused.
Lamin Ceesay is charged with the offence of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 288 of the Criminal Code. The particulars of the offence state that sometime in April 2016, in Jambur Village, West Coast Region, the accused, with intent to defraud, obtained from Dou Sannoh a BMW vehicle valued at D250,000 and a fiscal sum of D60,000 by falsely representing that he would secure him a plot of land measuring 50 meters by 50 meters. The charge states that the accused knew the representation to be false, thereby committing an offence.
On Wednesday, 6th July 2025, the prosecution opened its case by calling Police Officer Saikou Joof as the first witness. Officer Joof testified that the accused “has unlawfully and defrauded Dou Sannoh with a promise of a land since 2016.” The witness informed the court that there were two meetings held between the complainant and the accused in relation to the land transaction.
During cross-examination, the accused, Lamin Ceesay—who was representing himself in the absence of his lawyer—asked the witness whether he was present at the meetings between himself and Dou Sannoh. Officer Joof replied that he was present at the second meeting concerning the land allocation, but was not present at the first.
The accused challenged the witness’s account, asserting that Joof was not present at the second meeting. “You were not present at the second meeting because we met with you together with Dou Sannoh to collect the vehicle,” the accused said. However, the police officer stood his ground, maintaining, “I was present.”
Lamin Ceesay also asked the witness whether he was aware that the said land was actually allocated to Dou Sannoh, and that Dou had started digging a foundation on it with the help of his associate, Alagie Gassama. He further stated that Dou Sannoh had assigned Alagie to demarcate 20 by 20 meters from the land.
In response, Officer Joof said, “I cannot attest to that because I was the person who introduced Alagie to Dou Sannoh.” He explained that he is not a native of Jambur and therefore has no knowledge of whether or not the land was ever officially allocated to Dou.
The police officer further disclosed to the court that he had attempted to mediate between the accused and the complainant. “I had made negotiations and dialogue between accused Lamin Ceesay and Dou Sannoh,” Joof stated. “Unfortunately, Lamin the accused is not helping in settling the matter and which resulted to court proceedings.”
He added that there are “two court cases ongoing regarding first allocation and second allocation by same person, at the high court and magistrate.”
On the last adjourned date, the accused informed the court that Dou Sannoh owes him D50,000. Following this statement, the court adjourned the matter to 14th August 2025 for continuation of hearing.
