The Kanifing High Court has resumed hearings in a civil lawsuit involving the alleged theft of 19 kilograms of gold at Banjul International Airport, with Police Inspector Keita, formerly of the airport’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), taking the witness stand.
The case is being presided over by Justice G.A. Kwabeng and was brought by Alagie Jabbi and Mustapha Jabbi, trading under the name Jabbi Brothers from Latrikunda Sabiji. The plaintiffs are suing the Gambia International Airlines (GIA), Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Euro Africa Airlines Security Limited, and eleven individuals affiliated with these institutions.
Among the named defendants are Babanding Kanyi and Buba Bojang (GIA); Ndey Fatou Gaye, Ebrima Jobarteh, Alimatou Riley, Bakary Sanno, and Fatou Bojang (GCAA); and Ismaila Baldeh and Omar Jarju (Euro Africa Airlines Security).
The plaintiffs are seeking the recovery of $1,040,000—the alleged value of the missing gold—or its equivalent in Gambian dalasis. Additionally, they are claiming D3 million in damages for conversion, $90,000 for legal and administrative costs, 25% interest from June 2023 to the date of judgment, 4% interest post-judgment, and court costs.
According to the plaintiffs, the incident occurred on June 24, 2023, when Mustapha Jabbi was traveling to Dubai with 19 kilograms of gold valued at $55,000 per bar. The gold, sourced from Mali through Africa Emerging Services Limited, was intended for sale in Dubai. The plaintiffs claim that all necessary customs duties were paid and proper documentation was provided for the export.
Upon arrival in Dubai, Mustapha discovered that the suitcase carrying the gold had been tampered with and the contents were missing. He immediately informed his brother, Alagie Jabbi, who reported the matter to the airport police in Banjul.
Inspector Keita testified that he received the complaint on June 25, 2023, from Alagie Jabbi. He confirmed that the suitcase was reported to have been tampered with, and a smaller suitcase containing the gold had been removed from within a larger one.
Given the substantial value involved—estimated at $405,000 (approximately D30 million)—Inspector Keita escalated the matter to his superior, Chief Inspector Abdoulie Jabang. The following day, after a routine briefing, Keita’s request for a three-day preliminary investigation was denied. He was instructed to transfer the case file to police headquarters in Banjul immediately.
Keita said he then urged his superior to authorize a review of the CCTV footage. The request was approved on June 27, and Keita coordinated with Alagie Jabbi to begin the review at the airport.
During the review, Mustapha Jabbi was identified in the footage, wearing a long-sleeved black-and-white multicolored shirt. He also identified the suitcase in question, which was wrapped in white tape.
According to Keita’s testimony, the footage showed a security officer, later identified as Ndey Fatou Gaye, removing the suitcase from the conveyor belt at the screening area. Several other staff—including Fatou Bojang, Bakary Sanno, and Babanding Jobarteh—were seen approaching or interacting with Gaye during the incident. At one point, the footage captured the suitcase falling due to its weight when Gaye attempted to place it back on the machine.
Keita said the footage further showed the suitcase reappearing on the conveyor belt and being stopped by Euro Africa Security officers Babanding Kanyi, Ismaila Baldeh, and Omar Jarju. Kanyi then lifted the suitcase, made a sharp turn behind a wall, and did not reappear on camera. Baldeh followed Kanyi, while Jarju remained seated. GCAA staff member Alimatou Riley was later seen wrapping an unidentified item in a cloth and placing it in her handbag. Keita noted that GIA employee Buba Bojang was seen moving between departments frequently, which he said was a breach of protocol.
The footage review concluded around 4:00 p.m., and Keita began summoning individuals who were on duty at the time. Babanding Kanyi was the first to be contacted. When he eventually arrived at the police station, Keita said he initially denied involvement. However, upon learning that the gold was worth D30 million and that CCTV footage existed, Kanyi reportedly broke down and confessed.
According to Keita, Kanyi stated that he, along with Ismaila Baldeh and Omar Jarju, were instructed to intercept the suitcase and were paid D20,000, which they split among themselves. Kanyi claimed that Bakary Sanno opened the larger suitcase using a pen, removed the smaller case containing the gold, and placed the empty suitcase back on the belt.
Keita testified that he sought to obtain a formal written statement from Kanyi, but was instructed by Chief Inspector Jabang to wait until the case was transferred to headquarters. Keita warned his superior that Kanyi might change his story if a formal confession was delayed, but Jabang insisted on waiting.
On June 29, Keita visited the crime scene along with other officers. He noticed there were no security cameras pointing toward the critical operation area. He discovered a piece of white tape about 3-4 meters from a dustbin, inscribed with the words “Tabbakalu Illala” (meaning “God is the protector”), which he suspected came from the stolen suitcase. The tape was photographed and collected as evidence.
The next day, Mustapha Jabbi arrived from Dubai and confirmed that the suitcase he brought matched the one seen in the footage. Upon seeing the tape, Mustapha reportedly exclaimed “Allahu Akbar” three times and confirmed it was the same one he used to secure the bag, pointing to a handwritten Arabic note he had placed inside as a marker.
Keita stated that although 95% of the CCTV footage was reviewed in his presence, he had to leave before the review was completed due to an assignment with British National Police concerning the TRRC at Ocean Bay. His superior completed the remaining review.
Keita also recounted a later encounter with Babanding Kanyi at the airport, roughly a month or two after the incident. Kanyi allegedly approached him and remarked, “Mr. Keita, you don’t want anything,” which Keita interpreted as an allusion to a possible bribe.
The case has been adjourned to July 16 for cross-examination of Inspector Keita by the defence counsel.