Three soldiers and a businessman were yesterday arraigned before senior Magistrate M.S Jallow of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, store breaking and stealing.
The accused persons are Abdoulie Sanyang, Lamin Sanneh and Modou L. Drammeh, private soldiers with the Gambia national army and Daniel Balukan, a businessman.
According to the particulars of offence on count one Abdoulie Sanyang, Lamin Sanneh, Modou L. Drammeh and Daniel Balukan, between January and February 2013 at Buckle Street in Banjul, conspired and stole 250 bags (30kgs bags) of rice valued at D112,500 being the properties of the Gambia government and thereby committed an offence.
Count two stated that Abdoulie Sanyang and Lamin Sanneh, on or about 30 January 2013 at Buckle Street in Banjul, broke and entered into the store of the Gambia government with intent to steal and thereby committed an offence.
Count three stated that the accused persons, Abdoulie Sanyang and Lamin Sanneh, on or about 30 January 2013 at Buckle Street in Banjul, stole 10 bags of 30kgs rice bags valued at D4,500 being the property of the Gambia government and thereby committed an offence.
Furthermore, count four stated that Abdoulie Sanyang, Lamin Sanneh and Modou L. Drammeh, on or about 3 February 2013 at Buckle Street in Banjul, stole 80 bags of rice valued at D36,000, being the property of the Gambia government and thereby committed an offence.
Count five stated that Lamin Sanneh, on or about 4 February 2013 at Buckle Street in Banjul, stole 160 bags of rice valued at D72,000 being the property of the Gambia government and thereby committed an offence.
They all denied the charges preferred against them.
Meanwhile, the fourth accused person, who was said to be the businessman, was granted court bail of D200,000 with two Gambians sureties who must swear to an affidavit of means separately.
The three other accused persons, said to be soldiers, were refused bail, but given an opportunity to seek bail at the high court.
In delivering the ruling, the trial magistrate told the court that, after listening to the submission of the police prosecutor, Corporal Badjie, he has decided to refuse the three accused persons bail.
He added that they could appeal to the high court in Banjul for bail.
The case was then adjourned till 19 February 2013, for hearing.
