By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Dr. Abubakary Jawara, CEO of Gach Global Trading Company, on Monday laid out explosive allegations of fraud against his former employee, Kaddijatou Kebbeh, and ex-Gam Petroleum Managing Director Saikou Drammeh. The case, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court, involves claims that the two defendants conspired to fraudulently acquire and retain nearly D59 million and $221,000 in funds meant for petroleum product purchases.
Jawara, a key prosecution witness and central figure in the civil litigation, took the stand after Justice Jaiteh denied a defence request for adjournment on medical grounds. Senior Counsel Ida Drammeh, representing GACH Global, pushed forward, presenting her client’s affidavit as evidence-in-chief, which was admitted without objection from defence counsel Kaddijatou Jallow.
In a composed but emotionally charged testimony, Dr. Jawara told the court that Kaddijatou Kebbeh had worked for him as an agent and that he relied on her and Drammeh, then Managing Director of Gam Petroleum, to facilitate petroleum transactions. The CEO recounted how he had deposited over D58.9 million—initially in Euros—into a Konrigo account, a company he later discovered had no legitimate link to his supply chain.
“I only learned of Konrigo after the problem started,” Dr. Jawara told the court, stating he found the company online and contacted its proprietor, Mr. Jagana. According to him, Jagana revealed that the account details were provided by Kebbeh and that the funds were not meant for legitimate business.
In addition to the D58 million payment, Dr. Jawara alleged that he paid $221,000 directly to Saikou Drammeh for fuel while Drammeh was in Senegal. He said Drammeh requested cash payments, claiming the suppliers had no Gambian bank accounts. “I refused to make any cash payments. That amount is not small to me,” Dr. Jawara testified.
He added that after repeated attempts to get clarity, Kebbeh eventually provided him with an account number allegedly forwarded by Drammeh via WhatsApp. Once the transfer was made, Jawara visited Drammeh, who acknowledged receiving the funds.
Tension mounted when Jawara told the court that he was later contacted by police and the State Intelligence Services (SIS) and informed that Gach Global was listed among companies that took fuel from Gam Petroleum without payment. “I had taken fuel three times—and I paid,” he emphasised, referring to a contract he had secured with the Gambia Petroleum Company (GMPC).
Jawara further claimed that when he questioned Jagana about the money being transferred to the Konrigo account, Jagana said he had been contacted by Kebbeh, who claimed Jawara was in search of foreign currency. “I asked him, Why didn’t you confirm with me before receiving that amount?” Jawara recounted. He concluded that both defendants had coordinated the scam.
In earlier proceedings, Jah Oil’s Managing Director, Momodou Hydara, also appeared before the court as ordered. While Hydara produced photocopies of key documents requested by the court—related to petroleum transactions with Gam Petroleum—Justice Jaiteh reminded him that only original documents would be admissible and ordered him to reappear on July 2, 2025, with the originals.
During cross-examination, Counsel Jallow sought to challenge Dr. Jawara’s knowledge of the fuel transaction and the identities of the alleged fraudsters. Jawara admitted that he never met the purported Senegalese suppliers, but insisted Saikou Drammeh had full knowledge and oversight over the payment arrangements. He also identified another individual, Abdoulie Dibba—nicknamed “Bamba Lie”—as a friend of Drammeh who also confirmed the funds belonged to Drammeh.
When pressed further, Jawara disclosed that he had also confronted another individual, “Papis,” whom he had previously met at Drammeh’s residence in Senegal.
The case has drawn public attention not only because of the high-profile nature of the individuals involved but also due to the significant sum of money at stake and the implications it may have on fuel governance and transparency within The Gambia’s petroleum sector.
Dr. Jawara confirmed that Saikou Drammeh had already been prosecuted in a related criminal trial, and that he (Jawara) had served as a state witness in that case. The current civil suit seeks financial restitution and is expected to shed further light on the operational gaps and alleged abuses within the sector during the relevant period.
The court adjourned proceedings to July 2, 2025, when cross-examination of Dr. Jawara is expected to resume.
