Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The High Court has rejected an application by Pablo Djabi, who is currently standing trial for perjury and fabricating a false medical document, to travel outside The Gambia. In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh said permitting Djabi to leave the country at this stage of the trial would not serve the interests of justice.
“Allowing him to travel outside the jurisdiction at this delicate stage might undermine the administration of justice, compromise his attendance, or create a substantial risk of absconding,” the judge stated.
Djabi had requested the court to release his passport so he could travel from August 1 to September 30, 2025.
His lawyer, Sheriff M. Tambadou, filed the application on his behalf. However, the State, represented by State Counsel M. Singhateh, objected to the motion, arguing that Djabi remains under trial and may not return if allowed to travel.
Justice Jaiteh sided with the State, noting the seriousness of the charges and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the proceedings. “The court finds it not appropriate to release Mr. Djabi’s passport or enable him to travel outside The Gambia at this time,” he ruled.
In contrast, the judge granted similar applications made by the second and third accused in the case—Ms. Nadine Ismael De Gouveira Pereira, Djabi’s wife, and Mr. Mamadu Neto Djabi. The State did not oppose their requests.
Justice Jaiteh said that unlike Pablo Djabi, neither of the two co-accused are facing ongoing trial or awaiting judgment. “There is no credible danger or risk of their absconding. Consequently, their application is found to be meritorious,” the court concluded.
They have been permitted to travel between August 1 and September 30, 2025, and are required to return their passports to the court by October 1, 2025.
The ruling comes just weeks after Pablo Djabi testified in his own defense, denying any role in creating or knowingly submitting a false medical report that was previously used in a failed court application to travel abroad on health grounds.
During his testimony, Djabi claimed that the report was obtained by a friend, Amie Njie, after he fell ill, and that he had passed it on to his lawyer without knowledge of its alleged falsity.
The State has argued that the report was falsified and not authored by a certified medical practitioner. Djabi maintains his innocence and insists he did not knowingly mislead the court.
Following Djabi’s testimony in late May, the defense closed its case. Final oral arguments are expected to conclude soon before Justice Jaiteh delivers judgment in the high-profile trial.
