Lamin Touray: False Pretences Salagi Land Scam Charges

• Lamin Touray is accused of obtaining D1,510,000 from Naffie Nyassi in 2024 for three plots of land in Salagi, West Coast Region.
• Nyassi alleges Touray used false documents and fake stamps, and that the plots were subsequently sold to other individuals.
• The charge against Touray is obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
• The D1,510,000 came from Nyassi's husband and children in Europe, leading to significant marital and family strain for her.
• The case is ongoing at the Brusubi Magistrates' Court, with documentary evidence admitted.

Her testimony painted a vivid picture of the personal anguish caused by the alleged fraud, emphasizing that the impact extends far beyond mere financial inconvenience.

A significant land dispute has unfolded at the Brusubi Magistrates' Court, centering on allegations of a property scam in The Gambia's West Coast Region. Naffie Nyassi has provided testimony as a prosecution witness against Lamin Touray, who faces charges of obtaining money by false pretences. The case involves three distinct plots of land located in Salagi, which Nyassi claims she attempted to purchase in 2024.

According to the particulars of the offence, Lamin Touray allegedly secured D1,510,000 from Nyassi by falsely representing himself as the seller of these three plots, each measuring 20 metres by 25 metres. Nyassi detailed the payments made: D600,000 for the initial plot, D500,000 for the second, and D360,000 for the third, leaving a balance of D40,000. Her suspicions arose when she later discovered that these same plots had purportedly been sold to other individuals, with some already commencing construction activities on the properties.

Nyassi further testified that her attempts to obtain original land documents from Touray proved unsuccessful. She alleges that the paperwork provided during the transactions was not authentic, specifically describing the documents as "false" and the stamps affixed to them as "fake Alkalo stamps." Her concerns were heightened upon visiting the properties and observing other people occupying or developing them. Residents in the area reportedly informed her that some new occupants were merely caretakers for others claiming ownership. During the court proceedings, Nyassi confirmed she possessed three agreements, receipts, and deeds related to the transactions, which were subsequently admitted into evidence by Principal Magistrate Mam Samba Jallow without objection from the defence counsel.

The legal proceedings against Lamin Touray are being heard before Principal Magistrate Mam Samba Jallow at the Brusubi Magistrates' Court. Touray stands accused of obtaining money by false pretences, an offence explicitly outlined in section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. This specific charge underscores the gravity of the alleged land fraud, which involved a substantial sum of D1,510,000. The prosecution, represented by officer Sisaho, has been presenting its case, with Naffie Nyassi's land dispute testimony forming a crucial part of the evidence.

A key development in the ongoing trial was the formal admission of documentary evidence. Nyassi confirmed to the court that she held various pertinent documents, including three agreements, receipts, and deeds related to the land transactions. Following an application by the prosecution to tender these items, and with no objection raised by the defence counsel, the Magistrate officially admitted the documents into evidence, marking them as exhibits. This step is standard procedure in criminal cases, allowing the court to consider the physical evidence presented by the prosecution.

It is important to note that the allegations against Touray remain unproven at this stage of the proceedings. Under Gambian law, he is presumed innocent unless and until his guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt. The case highlights the legal framework in The Gambia designed to address property scam charges and protect individuals from fraudulent transactions. The hearing has been adjourned, and the case remains ongoing, indicating the complex and protracted nature of such land disputes.

Beyond the financial loss and legal complexities, the alleged land fraud has inflicted severe personal and familial distress upon Naffie Nyassi. She informed the court that the D1,510,000 used for the property purchases did not originate from her personal funds but was provided by her husband and children, who reside in Europe. This circumstance has amplified the pressure, as the unresolved transactions have generated significant tension within her family unit.

Nyassi conveyed the profound emotional toll the situation has taken, describing "sleepless nights" and "serious marital issues." She testified that her husband and children have repeatedly questioned her about the fate of the money and the properties, leading to considerable strain on her marriage, which she now considers to be at risk. The dispute has also created friction between her and her children, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of such alleged property scams.

Her testimony painted a vivid picture of the personal anguish caused by the alleged fraud, emphasizing that the impact extends far beyond mere financial inconvenience. The case serves as a stark reminder of how land fraud, particularly involving obtaining money by false pretences Gambia in the West Coast Region, can unravel family stability and inflict deep emotional wounds on victims, making life exceptionally difficult for those caught in its web.

This ongoing case underscores the significant risks of land fraud in The Gambia, particularly involving 'obtaining money by false pretences' through fake documents. Lawyers advising clients on property acquisitions in the region should intensify due diligence efforts to verify land titles and seller authenticity, and be prepared to litigate complex cases involving criminal charges and substantial financial losses.

Source: Original reporting via Foroyaa