The civil suit involves former GACH Global employee Kaddijatou Kebbeh (first defendant) and former Gam Petroleum Managing Director Saikou Drammeh (second defendant).
GACH Global Trading Company is pursuing the recovery of D58,961,150, alleging fraudulent acquisition and retention by the defendants. Additionally, the company seeks $221,000, claimed to be fraudulently obtained as payment for petroleum products supplied by the Gam Petroleum Storage Facility, and $1,600 as a commission paid to Ms Kebbeh for facilitating a petroleum product agreement dated 16 September 2021.
The plaintiff (GACH Global) also seeks D1,000,000 for legal and administrative fees, with an interest rate of 24% from August 31, 2021 until the judgment date, and a subsequent rate of 4% until full payment.
During cross-examination by Counsel K. Jallow, the witness was asked: “Do you know that you're before this court over the sum of D58,961,150?"
He responded: “Not only that, I changed one million euros, which gave me that amount."
"Is it correct that the money was for the purchase of petroleum products?" "Yes," he said.
"Was the amount in dalasis or another currency?” “It was in euros; I converted it to dalasis," he stated.
"Do you know the Konrigo Company?" "Yes, I only got to know them after the problem," he responded.
"You know the proprietor, Mr Jagana?" "Yes, we're both Serahule," he responded with confirmation.
"Did you call Mr Jagana to ask if the funds were available in foreign currency?" "No, I didn’t call him about foreign currency,” CEO Jawara responded, saying: “The police contacted me during an investigation with the SIS regarding fuel taken from Gam Petroleum without payment. My company was mentioned. I explained I had taken fuel three times and paid for it under an agreement with Gam Petroleum. I had already paid into Konrigo's account and contacted Saikou Drammeh to find out if he had a supplier.”
“So, how did you contact Konrigo?" counsel Jallow asked. CEO Jawara explained: “I searched the company name online, found a number, and called Mr Jagana. He said he was in Senegal and would return in two days. He didn’t, so I eventually spoke to him over the phone. I told him I had transferred D58 million and wanted to know how the money ended up in his account, which I had been told belonged to a Senegalese fuel supplier."
"Did you deal with anyone other than Saikou Drammeh about the fuel?" “I went to Drammeh with Kaddijah Kebbeh."
"Did Kaddijah act as your agent?" "She represented the company on the contract."
"Did you negotiate with Drammeh about the supplier?" "Yes, I introduced my company through him to the so-called Senegalese supplier."
"Did you speak to that businessman directly?" "No Saikou Drammeh handled all communications.”
"You're also claiming part of the $221,000?" "Yes.”
"That was for the Senegalese deal?" "Yes, I paid that money to Drammeh."
"Exhibit P13 shows Drammeh confirming that a payment was $221,000?" "No, that confirmation was for the D58 million,” he further testified.
Jawara added: “Drammeh asked me to pay in cash, but I refused. He said the Senegalese were offshore and didn’t have a Gambian account. He later sent me a WhatsApp message as Managing Director of Gam Petroleum, saying if I didn’t trust him, I could walk away since the amount was 'small'. I couldn’t reach him by phone. Meanwhile, Kebbeh urged me to pay in cash, but I still refused. She later brought a Konrigo account, saying Drammeh had sent it via WhatsApp, that’s how I got to know of Konrigo."
"I made the payment, then followed up with Drammeh. He confirmed receipt, and I gave him the transfer slip. Later, I got a call from the police that I had received fuel without paying for it. When I told Kebbeh, she dismissed it as 'people fighting Saikou Drammeh,' including Jah Oil’s manager. I insisted it was serious, especially since rumours were spreading online that I was selling Gambian fuel in Mali, and Drammeh had been arrested.”
"I later contacted Konrigo to ask how my money ended up in their account. Mr Jagana said Kebbeh told him I needed foreign currency. I asked why he hadn’t confirmed with me directly since he had my number. I told him the money had to be returned."
Further asked how he knew the money reached Drammeh?" "He confirmed it to me. Later, I saw a video on social media and spoke to his friend, Abdoulie Dibba, who confirmed the money was mine.”
Asked again whether he spoke with Drammeh’s legal team?" CEO Jawara responded: "Yes, when Kebbeh was moved to Banjul, her lawyer and family approached me about a possible settlement. I told them the only resolution is for my money to be refunded or for fuel to be delivered. I referred them to my lawyer."
