Paulo Djabi, together with his wife Nadine Ismael de Gouveira Pereira and Mamadu Neto Djabi, is confronting 21 criminal charges related to illegal drug activities and money laundering.
At today’s hearing, State Counsel Lamin Jarju notified the court that a motion had been submitted to amend the charges for counts 19 and 20, as well as to introduce a new charge—count 21. The motion, dated January 29, 2025, seeks the court’s approval to amend these charges.
The defence attorney, S. Tambadou, did not raise any objections to the motion. Justice Jaiteh, the presiding judge, approved the request, directing that the amended charges be read aloud to the first accused, Paulo Djabi, enabling him to enter a plea.
The revised count 19 accuses Paulo Djabi of money laundering, in accordance with section 22(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act. The state asserts that from 2021 to 2023 in Fajara, Djabi disguised the illegal source of funds he was aware were criminal proceeds by transforming them into thirteen vehicles of different types and models.
In the revised count 20, Djabi is once more confronted with a charge of money laundering for purportedly transforming criminal proceeds into three motorbikes of various types and models, during the period from 2021 to 2023 in Fajara.
In the recently added count 21, Djabi faces charges of money laundering for purportedly utilising illicit funds to acquire a jet ski in Fajara between 2021 and 2023.
Paulo Djabi entered a plea of not guilty to all charges, and the court officially recorded this not guilty plea.
The prosecution subsequently summoned its initial witness, PW 3, Babucarr Ngom, a Captain in the Gambian military and a resident of Farato. Ngom testified that he identified Djabi from a collaborative investigation carried out in August 2023. He stated that on August 16, a briefing took place at the National Security Adviser’s office regarding South American drug operatives. During this briefing, Djabi’s name was mentioned, leading the team to plan an ambush at Envy Night Club.
Once the club had closed, Djabi was stopped in his car on the way home and informed of his arrest. A preliminary search uncovered a waist belt that held a substance, which was subsequently verified by a drug enforcement officer.
The investigation progressed at Djabi’s apartment, where further materials were uncovered, and it was disclosed that Djabi possessed multiple cars and jet skis.
In response to enquiries regarding Mamadu Neto Djabi, the third accused, Ngom clarified that their encounter with him took place at the Bundung Police Station, where Paulo Djabi was in custody. Mamadu Neto Djabi was escorted to his residence in Baraka Estate. A drug substance was found and subsequently tested by a drug law officer during a search of the house.
Ngom affirmed his capability to identify the confiscated drug. In court, Ngom confirmed that the substance presented was the same one seized during the investigation.
State Counsel Lamin Jarju requested the inclusion of the substance as evidence. Defence lawyer S. Tambadou informed the court that he would object to the submission, citing time constraints due to another matter he had scheduled before a high court judge.
The case is set to continue on March 3, 2025, at 11:30 AM.
