Trial of Gambian business tycoon deferred

The trial involving one Yusupha Saidy alias “Yusu” was yesterday deferred before senior Magistrate Abdoulie Fatty of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

When the case was called, the prosecuting officer, Inspector Manga, told the court the case was set for hearing, but the prosecution’s witness was said to be bereaved.

Defence counsel Sheriff Marie Tambedou did not raise any objection to the prosecution’s application for an adjournment.

The case was then adjourned for 10 February 2016

It would be recalled that the accused, Yusupha Saidy, was alleged to have some time in April 2015 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, with intent to defraud, jointly conspired with Mr Watara, an Ivorian national, Mr Basir, a South African national, and Seedy Ahmed, a Senegalese national (all at large) and obtained 180,000 Euros for the purpose of transportation and customs clearance from one Omar FarukDeniz.

The prosecutors also accused Yusupha Saidy, along with Mr Watara, Mr Basir and Seedy Ahmed, that in April 2015 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, with intent to defraud, jointly obtained 180,000 Euros, for the transportation and customs clearance of 100 metal boxes containing US$15 million, 10 tonnes of gold, some diamonds and portraits from one Omar FarukDeniz, on the pretext of clearing and transporting goods for him, knowing same to be false.

He denied any wrongdoing.