Justice Achibonga, presiding over the Gambia’s High Court, granted bail to Paulo Djabi, Nadine Pereira, Mamadu Neto Djabi, and Secuna Jabi on Wednesday, with a total bail sum of D127,500,000. Earlier in September, a lower court released the four accused on bail, yet the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) re-arrested them, leading the High Court to hold a new hearing.
Paulo Djabi, Nadine Pereira, Mamadu Neto Djabi, and Secuna Djabi have been charged with fifteen charges of illegal narcotics possession, dealing, and conspiracy. They were also charged with money laundering.
Mamadou Neto Djabi was given bail of D2 million upon his release from the lower court in Kanifing. This bail was supported by a single Gambian surety who possessed landed property valued at D2 million. He must turn in his foreign passport to the Registrar of the High Court.
However, on Wednesday, Hon. Justice Achibonga determined that the bail bond should be amended, and the state offered no objections. The judge then imposed bail at D120 million for Paulo Djabi, with two Gambian sureties holding landed properties. Paulo Djabi must also submit both of his international passports to the High Court Registrar, with strong instructions not to use them.
Nadine Pereira obtained bail for D5 million with the help of two Gambian sureties who own land. She, like Djabi, must forfeit her two international passports, with no access allowed.
On September 13, 2023, Paulo Djabi and three co-defendants were charged with fifteen counts of banned substance possession, drug selling, and conspiracy. They were also charged with money laundering under the Gambia’s Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The prosecution then requested that the case be transferred to the High Court, claiming that money laundering charges fall under its jurisdiction. On behalf of the prosecution, Agent Ceesay requested that the accused be detained while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
Principal Magistrate Jabang, however, refused the application and granted bail to the accused people on September 14, 2023, as long as they met the bail requirements.
Notwithstanding the lower court’s ruling, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) re-arrested Paulo Djabi, Nandine Pereira, Mamadu Djabi, and Secuna Jabi 24 hours after their release on bail by Magistrate Omar Jabang of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court. They’ve since remained in detention until Wednesday’s ruling by the High Court.
