In the case of Gambian charlatan Amadou Conteh (47 years old) and his accomplice, 31-year-old Fatoumata Binta Diallo, the Tambacounda High Court has rendered a verdict. They were charged with fraud, charlatanism, criminal association, and collaboration. After finding them guilty, the court mandated that they give 4 million CFA francs to Alfousseyni Bâ, the civil party, as compensation for the harm that their malice caused him.

The case concerns Alfousseyni Ba, a businessman who hired Amadou Conteh because he thought the Gambian con artist might help turn a profit for his company. The trader met Conteh at Tambacounda, where he said he could multiply the dealer’s money and offered to sell him mercury, vulture eggs, and other commodities for a sacrifice worth more than 3 million CFA francs. Fatoumata Binta Diallo accompanied the trader.

After becoming aware of the plot, the trader contacted the police for assistance, which resulted in Conteh and Diallo’s apprehension. Upon conducting a home search, Conteh’s belongings, including forged identification documents and money, were discovered.

Conteh refuted the accusations throughout the trial, while Diallo maintained that she was only assisting a friend in finding a marabout to increase money. Another witness, however, claimed in court that Diallo had a track record of connecting clients with scam artists who embezzled their money.

Prosecutor Aliou Dia demanded a year in prison for both defendants and held Diallo principally accountable during his closing statement.

As a result, the court sentenced Diallo to four months in prison for collaboration and Conteh to one year in prison for criminal conspiracy, fraud, and charlatanism. In addition, they had to provide 4 million CFA francs in damages to the civil party.