Stian Alexander
Lady Njaimeh Jawara is the wife of ex-Gambian president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara
Lady Njaimeh Jawara was accused of claiming council tax reduction, housing benefit and pension credit she was not entitled to – because she was actually in Gambia on five occasions between 2008 and 2013, for more than 13 weeks each time.
The 65-year-old, of East Grinstead, West Sussex, has been married for 35 years to Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, the president of Gambia between 1970 and 1994.
The 91-year-old, who trained as a veterinary surgeon in Glasgow and Liverpool, has at least two other wives, as polygamy is widely practised in the west African country which is 90 per cent Muslim.
Sir Dawda helped gain full independence from British colonial rule in the year he became Gambian leader, but was ousted from power in a coup in 1994.
Worthing Magistrates’ Court heard how his wife, who lives in a new-build housing association flat worth about £200,000, was overpaid £9,255 in pension credits, £8,848 in housing benefit, £1,192 in council tax and £484 in council tax support – totalling £19,779.
Magistrates heard how she did not notify either Mid-Sussex District Council or the Department for Work and Pensions about her “prolonged absences” from Britain.
They told her she should have informed authorities she was abroad for the “prolonged breaks” as they would have stopped her benefits until she was back in the UK.
While illegally claiming benefits the keen golfer flew to Gambia in May 2010, where she attended the Gambia Golf Association’s AGM – of which she is an honorary member.
She donated 10,000 Gambia Dalasi (£160) to the association.
Lady Jawara commended the promotion of golf in Gambia, calling it a “noble” game in which she wanted youngsters to “pursue a career”.
However, instead of jetting off for another 18 holes in Africa she will now have to wear an electronic tag for 20 weeks and is the subject to a curfew, which bans her from leaving her home between 7pm and 7am.
After admitting to seven counts of failing to inform authorities about her changes in circumstances she was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60, pay the council’s investigation and prosecution costs of £4,286 and repay the full amount of benefits she falsely pocketed.
Jonathan Ash-Edwards, the deputy leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “The council works with the Department for Work and Pensions on matters like this and takes firm action against the small minority of claimants who seek to cheat and be a drain on the wallets and purses of the law abiding residents of Mid Sussex.
“You can help us catch these cheats by reporting any suspected fraud anonymously on our website.”
