Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court in Banjul has granted Pablo Djabi access to an additional 25 percent of his frozen funds, which have been under restraint since October 2023 in connection with a money laundering investigation.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, 8 July 2025, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh said the court was satisfied that Djabi had demonstrated genuine financial need and legal obligations that warranted the partial release of the funds. The money is being held by the Sheriff of The Gambia and the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG).
Djabi’s lawyer, Sheriff. M. Tambedou, argued that his client had been unable to earn a living due to restrictive bail conditions and presented documents showing mounting financial commitments, including school fees for his children, rent, property management costs, and legal fees.
However, State Counsel M. Singhateh opposed the application, relying on the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act. The State maintained that the funds were linked to criminal charges and should remain frozen.
Justice Jaiteh disagreed, ruling that the law allows for the release of restrained assets for reasonable living and legal expenses. “It would be manifestly unjust to subject an unconvicted individual to financial paralysis,” he stated.
The judge also noted that most of the charges related to property and not the specific funds in question. He further found that the State had not shown how releasing 50 percent of the funds would compromise the case.
“The balance lies in ensuring that only what is reasonably necessary is released without undermining the efficacy of the freezing order,” the judge added.
Djabi had previously been granted access to 25 percent of the restrained funds, and the court has now allowed an additional 25 percent to be released, with the stipulation that the money be used strictly for living expenses and legal defense.
Police Officer Testifies on Djabi’s Arrest
Meanwhile, the trial resumed with testimony from the fifth prosecution witness, Deputy Superintendent Amadou Kujabi of the Brikama Police Station’s Crime Management Department.
Kujabi told the court that he was part of a joint investigative panel formed on 16 August 2023 following intelligence reports on suspected drug cartel activities in The Gambia. The panel included personnel from the State Intelligence Service (SIS), DLEAG, and the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
He testified that investigators traced communications between Djabi and Malick Jallow, who was later arrested at Banjul International Airport. Jallow allegedly told investigators he had met Djabi through Air Senegal and later socialized with him at Envy nightclub.
According to Kujabi, Jallow claimed that Djabi once asked him to assist in obtaining used baggage tags from the Banjul-Brussels route, which he then photographed and sent to Djabi. Kujabi said Jallow also provided investigators with a video from his mobile phone.
Based on the intelligence gathered, the panel planned Djabi’s arrest, requesting armed support from the PIU due to security concerns. Djabi was arrested on 26 August 2023 near the former Vice President’s residence in Fajara after leaving a nightclub. He was allegedly found in possession of a crystal-like substance suspected to be drugs.
He was arrested alongside the second accused, Ismael. Kujabi confirmed that the operation was led by SIS Director Omar Cham.
The trial is set to continue on 15 October 2025 at noon with the further testimony of Kujabi.
Djabi, his wife Nadine Ismael De Gouveira Pereira, and Mamadu Neto Djabi are facing multiple charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and involvement in organized crime.
