To change an old dog’s name of its habit is something that has proved to be naturally impossible especially when such an old creature has accomplices aiding and abetting its actions no matter how dubious those actions made be. This is what appears to be the life of a scamming cartel in Sierra Leone operated by Ali Topal, Gertjan, Paul van Houdijk and now Mustapha Moidu, a British citizen, who boasts around of having a stranglehold and an unbreakable tie.
Ali TopalThis caboodle of hustlers have been fighting tooth and nail and employing all sorts of egregious activities to illegally influence their takeover of AGT Mining and Development using unsuspicious Government officials.
In this course of this desperate shady maneuvering, these bunch of people have succeeded in scaring away new potential investors and partners of Baraka Foundation, a subsidiary of AGT Mining and Development, allegedly by officials in the Ministry, when the partners had gone to the Ministry to verify the situation of the mining company and its subsidiary. Noticing this move, Mustapha Moidu reportedly confirmed his stranglehold and influence over Government officials to interface with the partners in response to their queries and to no surprise, he just tried to discredit the persons behind AGT Mining and Development, Ismail El Abbouti and Mary Kosia as scammers.
The AGT Mining and Development Company has in response to these acts of falsehood and blackmail initiated a press release aimed at exposing the shady deals of the trio, Ali Topal, Gertjan Boot, and Paul van Houdijk who have now been joined by Mustapha Moidu serving as a fixer and allegedly arranging bribes on their behalf. See press release below:
PRESS RELEASE
Freetown, Sierra Leone – August 11, 2025
AGT Mining & Development announces that the rule of law in Sierra Leone is holding firm amidst ongoing disputes over its mining operations. The company reaffirms its commitment to transparency, legality, and community partnership.
The company states that three individuals – Ali Topal, Gertjan Boot, and Paul van Houdijk – have allegedly attempted to exert improper influence and take control of AGT assets. According to AGT, bribery attempts have failed.
AGT further reports that Ali Topal, Gertjan Boot, and Paul van Houdijk have engaged Mustapha Moidu as a fixer to arrange bribes on their behalf. Moidu has told them that he holds high-level connections with Government officials, an assertion we are yet to confirm.
Recently, new investors and partners seeking to support Sierra Leone through the Baraka Foundation contacted the Ministry to verify the situation. Instead of transparency, they were given a false story by Moidu’s group, which once again tried to discredit long-standing supporters of AGT – Mary Kosia and Ismail El Abbouti – by branding them as scammers.
This defamatory campaign represents not only slander and libel against two individuals who have been among the few consistently supporting Sierra Leone, but it also threatens to damage the credibility of the country itself. By allowing such gold opportunists to spread false stories while pretending to act with the authority of public institutions, genuine investors may be discouraged from supporting any project in Sierra Leone.
In addition to its mining operations, Baraka Foundation, supported by Ismail El Abbouti, had prepared initiatives for vaccines and malaria prevention in Sierra Leone. Unfortunately, due to the disruptive actions of individuals who think only in terms of corruption and bribes, such projects risk being delayed or prevented, leaving the people of Sierra Leone without the benefits that genuine partners are ready to deliver.
The truth remains clear: Mary Kosia and Ismail El Abbouti have been among the strongest supporters of AGT and the local community for many years.
The local chiefdom has confirmed full support for AGT, stating clearly that they do not wish to work with anyone other than Ismail El Abbouti and Mary Kosia. For the past three years, the community has received consistent support first from Mary Kosia and later from the founders of the Baraka Foundation.
Authorities and courts in Sierra Leone have thus far upheld AGT’s rights and confirmed its permits and ownership. The company states that improper pressure and tactics have not succeeded.
We have relied on the institutions of Sierra Leone, and so far the system has worked. Our permits and ownership position have been recognized, and improper pressure and tactics have not succeeded.
About AGT Mining & Development
AGT Mining & Development operates in Sierra Leone with a licensed focus on small-scale mining activities. The company is committed to respecting national laws, maintaining transparency, and ensuring that its activities benefit both the country and local communities. Through its operations, AGT Mining remains dedicated to sustainable development and the empowerment of local