By Omar Bah
The Government of the Gambia has announced plans to institute civil proceedings in the courts of Switzerland for the recovery of $52, 837, 514, sums illegally obtained through MGI by Illija Reymond and Martin Keller, both Swiss nationals.
This revelation was made in the Government white paper in response to recommendation by the Janneh commission.
“Government will institute civil proceedings in the courts of Switzerland for the recovery of these sums as well as make a formal complaint to Swiss authorities against MGI for fraudulent conduct,” the government said in its White Paper.
The Swiss duo are also ordered to pay the sum of ($52,837,514) within 30 days of the publication of the White Paper, failing which their properties shall be forfeited to the state and sold.
Illija Reymond and Martin Keller, both Swiss nationals, are said to be close associates of ex-president Yahya Jammeh and they are accused of defrauding close to fifty-two million dollars belonging to the Gambian people in their capacity as managing partners of MGI Telecom AG (MGI), a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland.
MGI was the exclusive international gateway manager in the Gambia from May 2014 to 2017 when their contract was terminated.
General Saul Badjie
The Government of the Gambia has also announced plans to institute criminal charges against former Commander of the Republican Guard, General Sulayman Badjie for theft, economic crimes and corruption.
According to the Commission between September 2015 and January 2017 alone, Saul Badjie is responsible for misappropriating or diverting monies in the total of $23, 645, 342, euro 300, 000 and D14, 606, 000.
The government has also banned Gen Badjie from holding public office.
