Sillaba
Samateh, a Gambian business tycoon based in Holland, was recently charged in
absentia under the money laundering Act, at the Banjul magistrates’ court
before magistrate Krubally.
When the case was called, the trial magistrate said since there was no appearance of the accused, he would adjourn the case to 19 August 2014 for mention.
He ordered that the notice to be sent to the parties concerned.
According to the particulars of the offence in count one, Sillaba Samateh on various dates between 2008 and 2010, transported money (Euro) into Brusibi, Banjul and other places in The Gambia from Holland, the United Kingdom and other places in the world with intent of concealing the illicit origin and sources of the money.
Count two stated that Sillaba Samateh acquired moveable and immoveable property with the proceeds of the monies unlawful obtained from outside The Gambia, with the aim of concealing or disguising the illicit source of money.
Count three stated that between May and June 2009 at Brusibi, with intent to defraud, Sillaba Samateh received the sum of 10,000 Euro from Umar Ndow under the false pretence that he would apply the said money for procurement of spare parts to carry out repairs on a military helicopter intended for use in the transportation of gold to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Count four stated that Sillaba Samateh between May and June 2009 at Brusibi, with intent to defraud received various sum of money amounting to D64, 000 from Umar Ndow, Mohamed Ceesay and Ikemefuma D. Izuchukwu, under the false pretence that he had in possession cocaine which was given to him by the President of the Republic of The Gambia for sale in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Count five further stated that Sillaba Samateh at various places in the Gambia between May and December 2009, with intent to bring the President of the Republic of The Gambia into hatred, contempt and/or disaffection, uttered seditious words to various members of the Republic, such as that the President of The Gambia called him to return from Holland to The Gambia to come and handle his cocaine business.
