Gov’t to file formal fraud complaint to Swiss government

The government of The Gambia said it will make formal complaint to the Swiss government against its citizens for fraudulently defrauding millions of dollars belonging to the Gambian people.

A number of Swiss businesses and citizens have been indicted in the much awaited financial commission report, launched by President Adama Barrow’s government on Friday.

Illija Reymond and Martin Kelle,r both Swiss nationals and close associates of ex-president Yahya Jammeh, are accused of defrauding over $53 million from the Gambian people.

The duo are managing partners of MGI Telecom AG (MGI), a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland, based in  Zurich.

MGI was the exclusive international gateway manager in the Gambia from May 2014 to 2017 when their contract was terminated.

Both Illija Reymond and Martin Keller failed to answer to the Gambia Commission of Inquiry launched by President Barrow. They were found wanted for not accounting for $52, 837, 514.

“Government will institute civil proceedings in the courts of Switzerland for the recovery of these sums as well make a formal complaint to Swiss authorities against MGI for fraudulent conduct,” the Gambia government submitted in its 1,600-page  White Paper report.

The government has given 30 days to  Reymond and Keller to return fraudulent monies stolen from the Gambian people or risk losing their businesses and assets in the country.