By: Sandally Sawo
The High Court in Brikama last week ordered real estate dealers Gana Jeng and Muhammed Lamin Jaiteh to pay D1.9M to a Canada-domiciled Gambian Alagi Jabbi after dubbing him twice in land transactions.
Justice Sheriff Tabally on Wednesday, 7th February 2024, delivered a judgment in favor of Alagie Jabbi, who was represented by Lawyer Malick H.B Jallow. The first defendant Jeng was represented by Lawyer Badou Conteh through Counsel S. Akimbo whilst the second defendant Jaiteh was represented by Counsel Saikou Fatty.
Jabbi on 23 December 2022, claimed that Jeng and Jaiteh of Coastal Road (Green House) in the West Coast Region dubbed him on two occasions in transactions over land.
Through his lawyer Malick H.B Jallow, Jabbi filed a lawsuit at the Brikama High Court on 23 December 2022, claiming the recovery of D485,000 being monies he paid to Jeng through Jaiteh for the purchase of a plot of land, which Jeng has failed or refused to do despite repeated demand. He also claimed damages of D1,152,000.00, D200,000.00 legal and administrative fees, and further or other relief as the court shall deem fit to make.
The counsel for Jaiteh, Saikou Fatty, filed a statement of defense but it was struck out for incompetence as it was filed out of time. The counsel for Gana Jeng, S. Akimbo, also sought an extension of time to file a statement of defense which was granted. However, the said statement of defense was not ultimately filed.
Thereafter, counsel for Alagie Jabbi, Lawyer Malick H.B Jallow, filed a motion on notice and applied for the court to enter judgment in favor of his client, relying on the evidence accompanying the writ of summons and statement of claims as well as all other relevant documents filed by the plaintiff before the court. The said application was granted by the judge and judgment was awarded in favor of Jabbi.