Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – Pablo Djabi, a man standing trial on charges of drug-related offenses, perjury, and falsifying a medical document, on Friday took the stand at the High Court to testify in his own defense, vehemently denying any involvement in creating or knowingly submitting a fraudulent medical report to the court.

Pablo Djabi was charged with conspiracy, under the Drug Control Act, and money laundering, under the Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing Act 2012. He was granted bail but stayed by the High Court. An appeal was lodged, which was upheld by the High Court.

Djabi then applied for bail in the High Court, which granted it on December 6, 2023. He was released after fulfilling bail conditions and reported regularly to the DLEAG headquarters. The High Court froze his assets and accounts in The Gambia on October 31, 2023.

Appearing before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh on Friday, Djabi—who resides at Fajara Waterfront—told the court that he fell ill sometime in February 2023 or 2024, though he could not recall the exact date. According to his testimony, a friend, Amie Njie, arranged for a doctor to examine him at one of his apartments.

“He told my friend that I had kidney stones,” Djabi stated, adding that the next day, Njie advised him to seek medical treatment in Senegal or elsewhere. Djabi said he explained to her that he was on bail at the time and did not have access to his passport.

He testified that Njie later brought him a hospital report, which he passed on to his lawyer through his driver. The document was subsequently used to support a motion for permission to travel abroad on medical grounds.

However, the State raised concerns about the authenticity of the medical report, prompting Djabi’s lawyer to withdraw the motion. The court later fined the lawyer for the withdrawal.

“I did not knowingly issue a false statement to the court, and I was not involved in fabricating any document,” Djabi maintained in court.

Under cross-examination by State Counsel M. Singhateh, Djabi confirmed that he had been on bail throughout the six-month period following his release and did not leave The Gambia. He also acknowledged that Amie Njie, the person who brought the medical report, is not a licensed medical practitioner.

Djabi further admitted that he and his lawyer both signed an affidavit in support of the medical document. He confirmed that the report was submitted to the court through his legal counsel, and that the State had responded with a counter-affidavit. His lawyer later advised withdrawing the motion in light of the State’s objections.

The prosecution previously alleged that the medical report was forged and not issued by a recognized doctor in The Gambia. However, Djabi’s defense has argued that there is no evidence proving that he knowingly submitted a falsified document.

Following Djabi’s testimony, the defense closed its case. Justice Jaiteh has scheduled final oral arguments for Monday, 20 May 2025, between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. The prosecution is expected to deliver its closing address first, followed by the defense. The State will also be granted a right of reply.

Djabi faces charges of perjury and fabricating a false document, both stemming from the medical report submitted during his earlier application for court-approved overseas travel.

The case is expected to proceed to judgment following closing arguments.