Ousman Fullah and Mariama Karbo appeared at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on 20 October 2026 to face charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. Prosecutors allege the two individuals committed these offences during September 2026 in Farato, located in the West Coast Region. The charges follow an investigation into an alleged travel fraud scheme. The legal action initiated at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court represents the formal commencement of the judicial process against the two defendants.
Details of Alleged Fraud
Prosecutors contend that Ousman Fullah and Mariama Karbo utilized the name of QNET, a global direct-selling company, to facilitate the travel fraud scheme. The accused individuals allegedly leveraged the company's branding to deceive victims during the operation. By invoking the name of QNET, the defendants reportedly convinced individuals that they were involved in legitimate business and travel arrangements. This specific association with the global direct-selling company is central to the prosecution's case regarding how the defendants operated their alleged scheme in Farato.
Investigations indicate that Ousman Fullah and Mariama Karbo obtained $2,500, equivalent to D175,000, from Isata Sheriff under false pretences. The prosecution maintains that this transaction was part of a broader pattern of activity conducted by the two accused persons. Additional allegations state the pair secured $4,000, or D292,000, from Mariama Jallow. These financial transactions form the basis of the charges brought against the defendants in connection with the travel scheme. The total sums involved in these two specific instances represent the core financial evidence presented to the court by the state. The prosecution alleges that these funds were obtained through deceptive practices tied to the promise of travel, specifically targeting the victims in the West Coast Region during the month of September 2026.
Court Proceedings and Bail
Magistrate A. Darboe granted bail to Ousman Fullah and Mariama Karbo during the hearing on 20 October 2026. The court set the bail amount for each defendant at D400,000. Each accused individual must provide one Gambian surety to meet the conditions of their release. By setting these requirements, Magistrate A. Darboe established the terms under which the defendants may remain at liberty while awaiting the next stage of the trial. The requirement for a Gambian surety serves as a guarantee to the court that the defendants will return for future hearings.
Proceedings in the matter will resume on 25 November 2026. On that date, the court expects the first prosecution witness to testify regarding the allegations. This upcoming session marks the transition from the preliminary arraignment to the evidentiary phase of the trial at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court. The testimony provided by the first witness will be the initial step in the prosecution’s effort to substantiate the charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence against Ousman Fullah and Mariama Karbo. The court will continue to oversee the matter as the prosecution presents its case in the coming weeks.
