By Nicholas Bass
The Principal Magistrate Muhammed Krubally of Banjul Magistrates’ Court on Monday passed a sentence on LaminMboge, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gam Housing Real Estate to pay a fine of D50,000 in default to serve one-year imprisonment at Mile II Central Prison, and also to pay a sum of D2,800,000 to his victim, Yahya Ceesay.
It was a long-awaited judgment involving Lamin Mboge, the Chief Executive Officer of Gam Housing Real Estate, and YahyaCeesay, in the case Lamin Mboge faced numerous criminal charges of obtaining money with false pretense in the land business transactions before various courts in Brikama, Kanifing, Bundung and Banjul respectively.
However, in his judgment, Magistrate Krubally said YahyaCeesay affirmed to the court that he bought a three-bedroom bungalow house situated at Brusubi Phase II at a sum of D3 Million from Lamin Mboge. But it was later discovered that the same house was resold to one Abdoulie Cole and in dispute before another court.
However, Lamin Mboge in his defense at the court said YahyaCessay paid D2,000,000 to Gam Housing Real Estate and argued that the company should be sued instead of him.
Magistrate Krubally in his judgment said since the company was involved in the transaction, the veil would have still been lifted to hold Mboge liable for his actions in the interest of justice and Gam Housing should be liable for the fraudulent act done by Mr. Lamin Mboge.
He also said that Mr. Lamin Lamin Mboge did all these acts by acting fraudulently, illegally, immorally, unconscionably and dishonestly.
‘’I hold him liable not the company,’’ the Magistrate said.
Mboge in his plea for mercy from the court said he is a responsible married man with two, noting that he has financial difficulties.
Notwithstanding, Magistrate Krubally, therefore, handed him his final judgment saying “I hereby order Lamin Mboge to pay a fine of D50,000 in default to serve one-year imprisonment with a compensation of D2,800,000 to Yahya Ceesay (victim) in default to serve two years imprisonment. The sentence term shall run concurrently”, Magistrate Krubally ruled.
