By: Isatou Sarr
The Banjul High Court Annex has issued an interim injunction restraining all events scheduled for 28 March 2026 at a hotel in Kololi, following a dispute over an alleged double booking of a venue.
The order was granted by Justice Sonia Akinbiyi K.J.W after an ex parte application filed by BTL City Entertainment, which claims financial losses and reputational damage after the hotel allegedly allocated the same venue to another group.
According to court documents, the plaintiff, represented by Sheriff Camara, secured the venue in early March through the hotel’s sales manager and paid a booking fee of D50,000 into the hotel’s bank account. The payment was later confirmed by the hotel’s general manager.
Relying on the confirmation, BTL City Entertainment said it proceeded with preparations for its “Annual Koriteh Show,” including printing 2,500 tickets priced at D500 each and an additional 1,000 promotional tickets. The group also incurred expenses for sound equipment, artists and DJs, and obtained a permit from the Gambia Police Force on 18 March.
The dispute arose after the organisers reportedly discovered promotional materials for another event scheduled for the same date, time and venue by a different group.
In an affidavit, the plaintiff said efforts to resolve the matter amicably with the hotel’s management were unsuccessful, adding that attempts at an out-of-court settlement did not yield results.
The plaintiff further told the court that more than D400,000 had already been spent, with projected revenue estimated at D1.25 million.
Counsel for the plaintiff, Adama Sillah, urged the court to restrain the hotel from allowing any other party to use the venue pending the determination of the case.
In her ruling, Justice Akinbiyi ordered that no event be held at the venue by either party until the substantive matter is heard and determined.
She warned that any violation of the order would constitute contempt of court and may attract sanctions.
The case was adjourned to 20 April 2026 for hearing.