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Momodou Sabally granted bail

Jan 10, 2017, 10:47 AM | Article By: Bruce Asemota

Momodou Sabally, former Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), was yesterday granted bail of one million dalasis (D1,000,000) with two Gambian sureties, by Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay of the High Court in Banjul.

Momodou Sabally was first arraigned on 8 November 2016 before Justice E.O. Dada and had been in custody until yesterday, when he was granted bail by Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay.

Sabally was indicted with eight counts of criminal offences of economic crime, abuse of office, neglect of official duty and giving false information to a public officer.

During yesterday’s hearing, the applicant represented by lawyer L.S. Camara filed a 23-paragraph affidavit sworn to by one Kebba Sanneh of Fajikunda in the Kanifing Municipality, and urged the court to grant the applicant bail on such conditions and terms.

In delivering the ruling, Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay said she heard the applicant move the motion on notice filed on 6 December 2016, and had also perused the affidavit in support sworn to on 6 December 2016.

She had also taken into consideration that the state (respondent) did not file any affidavit in opposition, and that counsel for the state (respondent) did not oppose bail being granted.

The presiding judge then granted bail to Momodou Sabally of D1 million with two Gambian sureties; one or both of the sureties must have landed properties valued at not less than D1 million and must deposit the original title deed of the property with the registrar of the High Court, and also enter into recognisances.

The judge further ordered that Sabally deposits his National Identification Card (ID Card), passport and any other travel documents he might possess with the Registrar of the High Court.

The matter was adjourned until 2 February 2017, at 10 am for mention.