Gambiaj.com – Banjul, The Gambia — The trial of Khadijatou Kebbeh, accused of stealing and laundering hundreds of thousands in foreign and local currencies, has taken a dramatic turn as the legitimacy of her bail bond documents came under fire in court this week.

Appearing before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh at the High Court, legal proceedings on Monday were dominated by allegations of forgery raised by Counsel Emmanuel Chime, who represents the sureties tied to Kebbeh’s D59.5 million police bail. Chime argued that the recognizance upon which the state secured a court order for bond forfeiture was fraudulent.

“The recognizance relied upon by the state to secure the court’s order dated May 18, 2023, is forged,” Chime told the court, pointing to paragraph 14 of the state’s own affidavit of opposition. He said a station diary entry confirmed that the recognizance was never signed by police and was riddled with inconsistencies.

Chime further asserted that the recognizance, which bears the date November 16, 2022, was either backdated or improperly executed. He said one of the sureties, his client, was officially released in 2021—long before the date in question—and thus could not have signed the bond.

He urged the court to nullify what he called a forged signature and described the document as legally defective.

The state, represented by Counsel M. Singhateh, has not yet formally replied to the forgery allegations. Justice Jaiteh subsequently adjourned the matter to Wednesday, May 21, 2025, to allow the prosecution to file a response.

The courtroom debate adds a fresh twist to a case already marred by delays, procedural controversies, and the accused’s continued absence.

Khadijatou Kebbeh, a former employee of GACH Global Trading Company, is facing charges of stealing over $20,000, €749,965, and D2 million—funds allegedly embezzled from her employer between 2021 and 2022. She is also accused of laundering the money through various channels.

Her release on bail in 2023 was backed by two sureties—Alfusainey Jawara and Salif Banna Drammeh—who submitted affidavits of means and deposited land titles as part of the bond. However, the two men later disclaimed any knowledge of having signed the recognizance, prompting a forensic probe to verify the authenticity of the signatures.

But the forensic process hit a snag earlier this year when police revealed that their signature analysis equipment was out of order, stalling the investigation.

Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent Lamin Cham filed an affidavit supporting the state’s motion to enforce the sureties’ bond. He alleged that Kebbeh absconded in January 2023 following the filing of her indictment and widespread media coverage. Since then, she has reportedly failed to report to the police in violation of her bail conditions.

The state is now pressing for the sureties to produce Kebbeh in court or face forfeiture of the bond. However, the state’s motion does not prevent authorities from seeking an arrest warrant for her.

In a counter-offensive, Counsel Chime is challenging not only the forfeiture application but the very foundation of the state’s legal pursuit. He maintains that the recognizance was falsified and should not be considered valid for any legal action.

Justice Jaiteh has adjourned the matter to July 6th, pending the state’s response to the serious forgery claims.