Paulo Djabi
By Landing Ceesay
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Attorney General’s Chambers has filed new charges against Paulo Djabi, separate from the 21 charges he is already facing in an ongoing criminal trial.
Paulo Djabi, a Bissau-Guinean residing in The Gambia with his family, has been entangled in legal disputes with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) since 2023 over alleged drug-related offenses. Authorities claim Djabi was found in possession of illegal and controlled substances at his residence in Fajara, Kanifing Municipality, and was also discovered with large sums of money in various currencies, including Gambian Dalasi, CFA, Dollars, and Euros.
As a result, the DPP filed 21 criminal charges against him, including allegations of money laundering and other drug-related offenses.
On September 30, 2024, the DPP introduced four new charges against Djabi, accusing him of fabricating evidence and perjury.
In the first charge, Djabi faces accusations of perjury and subornation of perjury under Section 95(3) of The Gambia’s Criminal Code (2009). The State alleges that on March 8, 2024, during a judicial proceeding, Djabi knowingly gave false testimony under oath in the case between him and the Attorney General (suit No. HC/857/23/CR/170/CO).
The second charge accuses Djabi of fabricating evidence in violation of Section 98(b) of the Criminal Code. The State claims that on the same date, Djabi used a falsified medical report as evidence to mislead the High Court in his ongoing case.
In the third charge, Djabi is accused of false swearing, contrary to Section 99(b) of the Criminal Code. The State alleges that Djabi falsely swore under oath before a commissioner of oath in the same case.
The fourth charge accuses Djabi of procuring the execution of documents under false pretenses under Section 330 of the Criminal Code. The State claims that on February 8, 2024, Djabi fraudulently misrepresented his health condition to persuade Dr. L. Faye to sign a medical report.
Djabi has yet to enter a plea on these new charges. However, he has been granted bail in connection with the ongoing trial, where he faces 21 charges. His bail, granted by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court, is tied to the sum of D120 million.
“The accused is standing trial in the Criminal Case with suit No. HCJ484/24/CR/106/A0 and is bailed in the sum of D120, 000,000.00. Accordingly, the bail in this present case is tied to D120, 000,000.00. The Principal Registrar of the High Court is to be served with a copy of this order,” Hon. Justice Jaiteh ordered.
The case has been adjourned to October 22, 2024, for plea-taking.