Refund D41,500 - Court orders business woman

Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Banjul Magistrates Court, last Friday, ordered one Fatou Saho of Banjul, a business woman, to refund the sum of D41,500 to one Mai Touray, paid to her by the plaintiff to secure visas to attend trade fairs in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

In his judgement before a crowded courtroom, Magistrate Kayode ordered  Fatou Saho to refund the money on monthly installments of D3,000, commencing January 31. He warned that should the defendant fail to repay the sum, she will be forced to do so in one installment within a short period of time.

Magistrate Olajubutu said that as the plaintiff had corroborated the defendant’s testimony that she used D21,000 out of the amount given to her for documentation and visa fees, she is entitled to the balance of D41,500.

According to the particulars of the case, the plaintiff was claiming the sum of D62,500 from the defendant, which she used to secure a two-year American visa and a one-year UK visa for the defendant.

The plaintiff also claimed damages for the breach of contract and betrayal she suffered in failing to attend the trade fairs in Bangkok, Hong Kong, United States of America and the United Kingdom.

She also claimed some percentage interest on the principal claim from October,  2004, to the date of the judgement and four per cent statutory interest from the date of judgement to the final payment.