Police arraigned one Almudou Maiga before Principal Magistrate M. Krubally on allegations of obtaining money by false pretence. The prosecution, led by Superintendent L. Trawally, alleges that during 2025, Almudou Maiga defrauded 18 individuals of a staggering D2,800,000 (Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dalasis).
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly collected the funds under the pretext of facilitating travel to Spain, which the prosecution claims he knew to be false at the time.
The list of complainants includes Ismaila Krubally, Bakary Sanyang, and over a dozen others who reportedly sought a better life abroad only to lose sums of money.
The proceedings took an interesting turn during the plea-taking. While the charge sheet was read in English and translated into Wolof a language the accused confirmed he understood Almudou Maiga’s response was not a straightforward admission.
“I agree with what is narrated but I dispute the amount,” Almudou Maiga told the court.
Faced with the qualified admission, Magistrate Krubally acted to protect the integrity of the legal process. He cites the constitutional provision of presumption of innocence, and entered a “Not Guilty” plea on behalf of the accused, noting that the prosecution must now prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
Superintendent Trawally did not explicitly oppose bail but urged the court to consider the gravity of the amount involved and the fact that Almudou Maiga is a non-Gambian.
Magistrate Krubally, however, delivered a firm reminder regarding constitutional rights. Magistrate Krubally debunked the idea that being a non-Gambian should strip an individual of their legal right to bail.
While acknowledging the D2.8 million, Magistrate Krubally maintained that the sum alone does not override constitutional protections.
In his ruling, Magistrate Krubally granted bail in the sum of D2,800,000 to secure his release, the accused must provide a surety who is an employed person or business professional and submit a valuable asset worth the full bail amount.
Also, the surety must provide original identification and a physical address to the registrar and must swear an affidavit of means, agreeing to forfeit the bond to the state should the accused abscond.
The case adjourned to Monday, April 27, 2026, at 12:30 PM for the commencement of the hearing.
