Gach Global Trading Company is pursuing the recovery of D58,961,150, alleging fraudulent acquisition and retention by the defendants (Kaddijatou Kebbeh and Saikou Drammeh).
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 commission paid to Ms Kebbeh for facilitating a petroleum product agreement dated 16 September 2021.
The plaintiff (GACH Global) is also seeking 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.
Senior Lawyer Ida Drammeh represents GACH Global Trading Company, while Senior Lawyers Lamin S. Camara and B.S. Conteh represent Saikou Drammeh and Kaddijatou Kebbeh respectively.
The case was called for the first defendant to commence its pre-trial conference - following the plaintiff's completion of their pre-trial conference, during which they tendered documents from Gampetroleum, GNPC, and Jah Oil, along with letters and WhatsApp messages.
Lawyer B.S. Conteh informed the court that he had filed an amended statement of defence dated January 29, 2025. He served the second defendant's lawyer, L.S. Camara, in court, while Senior Lawyer I. Drammeh declined to be served in court.
Lawyer B.S. Conteh was ordered by the Court to facilitate and expedite the service of the amended process on the plaintiff.
However, senior Lawyer I. Drammeh indicated to the court that the case was set for a pre-trial conference, and she expected it to proceed as scheduled.
Senior Lawyer I. Drammeh sought a cost of D10,000 for the delay caused by Lawyer B.S. Conteh for the second defendant (Saikou Drammeh). She further argued that the case had faced delays due to the actions of defence lawyer B.S. Conteh. When Lawyer L.S. Camara was asked if he would seek costs, he informed the court that he was not requesting any costs.
Lawyer B.S. Conteh objected to the cost requested by Senior Lawyer I. Drammeh, stating that he had been punctual in the case since its outset and has shown his willingness for the case to progress. He appealed to the court not to impose costs against him.
The presiding judge, Justice Jaiteh, granted the application for costs sought by Senior Lawyer I. Drammeh. He stated that the first defendant, through Lawyer B.S. Conteh, filed amended processes when the first defendant was expected to commence the pre-trial conference. The judge noted that this filing had caused a delay in the start of the first defendant's pre-trial conference and, as a result, he would award costs.
“Counsel for the plaintiff requested D10,000 in costs. However, I will award a cost of D2,500 due to the delay caused by the second defendant's pre-trial conference,” Justice Jaiteh concluded.
The case is adjourned till March 6, 2025 for the pre-trial conference for both the first and second defendants.
