16.12.2025
The Portuguese Judicial Police (PJ) arrested a Guinean businessman and close associate of former President Umaro Sissoco Embaló at Lisbon’s Figo Maduro military airport, seizing approximately €5 million in cash.
The suspect, identified as Tito Gomes Fernandes, is widely reputed to be the “right-hand man” of the former Guinean head of state. He was arrested on suspicion of smuggling and money laundering, according to Portuguese newspapers Expresso and Público.
The operation was conducted by the Judicial Police in collaboration with the Portuguese tax authorities, following an anonymous tip. The cash was found in Fernandes’s luggage.
Authorities noted irregularities in the flight: the aircraft, arriving from Guinea-Bissau, was declared as a military flight and scheduled to land at Beja airport. However, the Judicial Police stated that its “actual destination and nature differed from those communicated to the aviation authorities.”
Sissoco Embaló’s wife was also on board the aircraft but was not arrested, according to sources close to the investigation. Tito Gomes Fernandes is scheduled to be brought before a judge for initial questioning.
The arrest occurs amid political instability in Guinea-Bissau, following the military coup of November 26, which overthrew Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The coup was led by General Horta N’Tam, who immediately assumed leadership of a one-year transition government.
The ousted president was briefly detained before being exfiltrated to Senegal and subsequently finding refuge in the Republic of Congo. Apa