A woman accused of defrauding a businessman by falsely claiming she could secure vehicles from a government auction has appeared before the Banjul Magistrate’s Court.
Fatou Secka was arraigned before Principal Magistrate M. Krubally on a single count of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
Prosecutors allege that on or about Jan. 12, 2026, in Banjul, Ms. Secka obtained D360,000 from a businessman, Omar Bah, after representing that she could purchase several vehicles for him from a Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) auction.
According to the charge sheet, Ms. Secka allegedly told Mr. Bah she could secure a fleet that included two Nissan Rogues, one Toyota RAV4, two Range Rovers and a Toyota van. Prosecutors contend that the representation was false and that the accused knew it to be untrue at the time she made it.
When the charge was read in court, Ms. Secka, who was not represented by counsel, said she understood the allegation and pleaded not guilty.
Inspector Kebbeh, appearing for the Inspector General of Police, informed the court that the prosecution was prepared to proceed immediately with its first witness. But the hearing was briefly delayed after the accused objected to the commencement of testimony.
“Your Worship, I wish to object to the commencement of the hearing,” Ms. Secka told the court. “I have a counsel, though they are not here today. Today was just for plea taking, and I want the subsequent proceedings to be done in the presence of my lawyer.”
The prosecution said it would leave the matter to the court’s discretion. Magistrate Krubally granted the request, noting that the court must ensure the accused receives a fair hearing and describing his role as that of an “impartial umpire.”
Despite the amount allegedly involved, the prosecution did not oppose bail. The magistrate granted Ms. Secka bail in the sum of D360,000.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused must provide a Gambian surety engaged in genuine employment or business and earning at least D10,000 per month. The surety must present a valid national identity card or passport and submit an affidavit of means guaranteeing Ms. Secka’s appearance in court and agreeing to forfeit the bond should she fail to attend.
The case was adjourned to April 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., when the prosecution is expected to begin presenting its first witness.
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