The name of prominent lawyer and politician Essa Faal emerged during cross-examination in a D58.9 million civil fraud lawsuit involving GACH Global Trading Company Limited and two former officials linked to the company and Gam Petroleum.

Faal was mentioned during Wednesday’s proceedings at the High Court in Banjul. 

The second defendant, Saihou Drammeh, was being questioned by the plaintiff’s counsel, Ida Drameh, before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh.

The exchange concerned alleged financial dealings involving the purchase of two apartments and money reportedly owed to the witness.

Drammeh confirmed knowing Faal and acknowledged that money was owed. 

However, he denied suggesting that Faal had used the money for election activities.

Faal is not identified as a party to the lawsuit. His name arose during questioning about the alleged financial dealings.

The substantive case, GACH Global Trading Company Limited v Kaddijatou Kebbeh and Saihou Drammeh, centres on allegations of fraud involving a September 2021 petroleum supply agreement.

GACH Global, led by chief executive Abubakary Jawara, is seeking to recover D58,961,150 and $221,000. 

The company alleges the sums were obtained or retained through a fraudulent transaction involving petroleum products intended to be supplied by Gam Petroleum.

It is also seeking $1,600 in commission allegedly paid to Kebbeh and D1 million in legal and administrative costs. 

The company is further claiming interest charges of 24 per cent and four per cent until full payment.

Kebbeh, a former GACH Global employee, is the first defendant. Drammeh, the former Managing Director/General Manager of Gam Petroleum Storage Facility, is the second defendant.

The civil proceedings were initiated in January 2022 and are continuing before Justice Jaiteh.