Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court in Banjul has ruled in favor of British national Julie Elizabeth Dixion, declaring her the sole owner of a boat cruise business at Denton Bridge following a bitter legal dispute with her former Gambian partner, Emile Boissey.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, the court held that the two wooden boats at the heart of the dispute, named Elizabeth and Julie, belong exclusively to Ms. Dixion. The judge found that Mr. Boissey had neither contributed financially to the business nor acted in good faith.
“The defendant cannot convert affection into ownership through subterfuge and manipulation,” Justice Jaiteh stated in his ruling. “The evidence before this court shows clearly that the plaintiff bore the entire financial burden.”
Ms. Dixion, who first visited The Gambia as a tourist in 2019, told the court she later returned to start a tourism venture. She recounted meeting Mr. Boissey through a mutual friend, after which their personal and business relationship developed.
Testifying before the court, Ms. Dixion said she paid D450,000 for the first boat and fully financed the construction of a second boat after the first was destroyed by fire. She further claimed she had paid for Mr. Boissey’s divorce, supported his child, and covered his personal living expenses.
“I trusted him,” she told the court. “I thought we were building something together. But everything came from my pocket.”
Mr. Boissey, however, argued that the business was a joint venture, insisting he played a key role by managing operations, dealing with clients, and helping the business grow. He also claimed that the name “Boissey Boat” symbolized their partnership.
But the court rejected his arguments, citing a WhatsApp message presented by Ms. Dixion in which Mr. Boissey explicitly wrote, “The boat is yours. I know that.” Justice Jaiteh described this message as “an admission against interest,” noting that it carried significant legal weight.
The judge also dismissed Mr. Boissey’s reliance on verbal agreements and minor receipts, emphasizing that in civil cases, the burden of proof lies on a balance of probabilities.
“The defendant has failed to do so,” the court ruled. “There is no credible evidence of co-ownership.”
The court subsequently issued a perpetual injunction restraining Mr. Boissey from using the name “Boissey Boat” or from claiming any interest in the business.
In addition, Ms. Dixion was awarded D150,000 for legal and administrative costs, while Mr. Boissey was ordered to pay D50,000 in court costs. His counterclaim seeking half of the business, which he valued at D3 million, was dismissed in its entirety.
