Africa-Press – Gambia. A Pakistani national, Atif Amin, appeared before Magistrate Krubally at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court to face seven criminal charges ranging from impersonation and forgery to obtaining money by false pretences and issuing false cheques. The alleged offences reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2024 across Banjul and other locations within The Gambia.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Commissioner A. Manga and Sergeant M. Jammeh (Badge No. 5907), presented the charges as follows:
Count One: Impersonation – Amin is accused of falsely presenting himself as a Pakistani diplomat and Chairman of the Pakistani community in The Gambia to several government officials, including personnel from the Banjul City Council, the Executive Director of Lands, Internal Audits, and Information Technology, with the intent to defraud.
Count Two: Impersonation – He is alleged to have used diplomatic vehicle number plates (1 AV4 ICD, 1 AV4 2CD, and Pakistan I.C.D), falsely representing himself as a diplomat.
Count Three: Forgery – Amin is accused of unlawfully forging the aforementioned diplomatic number plates.
Count Four: Obtaining Money by False Pretence – He allegedly received D100,000 from one Muhammed Ousman under the false promise of remitting the funds to Ousman’s family in Pakistan, which he failed to do.
Count Five: Obtaining Money by False Pretence – Amin is further charged with obtaining D15,000 from Lamin Kinteh under the pretext of developing a website, a service he did not render.
Count Six: Issuance of False Cheques – He allegedly issued two cheques from Zenith Bank Gambia Ltd.—one for D100,000 to GACH GLOBAL Company and another for D71,000 to Basamba Drammeh—knowing that the account lacked sufficient funds.
Count Seven: False Assumption of Authority – Amin is accused of falsely assuming the role of the Pakistani Ambassador to The Gambia in dealings with various government agencies.
Atif Amin pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution requested a brief adjournment to summon witnesses but strongly objected to the granting of bail, citing the accused’s previous conduct.
Assistant Commissioner Manga informed the court that Amin had previously been granted bail in May 2024 under conditions requiring two Gambian sureties with bonds of D300,000 each. However, he allegedly jumped bail, resulting in the arrest of the sureties—Saihou Jarjou and Musa Dumbuya—who reported that the accused had fled to Guinea-Bissau.
According to Manga, the police later discovered Amin hiding in his toilet in The Gambia during a targeted operation, despite earlier claims by his wife that he had left the country.
In response, Amin argued that he had travelled to Guinea-Bissau to donate 600 bags of rice, claiming he had photographic evidence. He also said he had visited the Office of the Vice President and frequently contributed opinion columns to local newspapers, further asserting his good standing and intention to cooperate with the trial process. He noted that police have held his five mobile phones, five laptops, and five cheque books for over a year.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Krubally acknowledged that the charges are bailable and exercised judicial discretion to grant bail.
Amin was granted bail in the amount of D500,000, subject to the provision of two responsible Gambian sureties who are gainfully employed or engaged in legitimate business. The sureties must present valid national identification, verifiable contact details, and addresses. They are also required to swear an affidavit of means, binding them to ensure the accused’s future appearances in court and accept liability for the bail amount should he abscond.
The case has been adjourned to July 28, 2025, for hearing.
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