One Michael
Gerald Sheehy, a British national was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate
Sagarr Jahateh of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court for allegedly issuing false
travellers cheques. Mr Michael, who pleaded not guilty, was charged on four
counts.
According to count I, the accused on the 19th and 27th January 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank, West Field branch, sold 1800 and 3600 pounds sterling in travellers cheques equivalent to D190, 420, knowing these to be fake.
Count II stated that during the same period and at the same place, the accused presented 1800 and 3600 pound sterling in travellers cheques equivalent to D190, 420 knowing it to be fake.
Count III indicated that on the 19th, 20th, 27th, and 29th January 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank, Kairaba Branch, the accused sold 200, 1800, 2500 and 4500 pound sterling in travellers cheques equivalent to D312, 774 knowing it to be fake.
Count IV went on to state that the accused during the same period and at the same place presented 200, 1800, 2500 and 4500 pound sterling in travellers cheques equivalent to D312, 774.45 knowing it to be fake.
Police prosecutor Inspector Fadera, rose to tell the court that he was opposing bail because the accused may abscond, being a foreigner.
Lawyer Badou Conteh, who was defending the accused, told the court that the offence under which the accused was charged was bailable and that it is only capital offences that do not attract bail.
He argued that bail should be granted according to the offence charged. He urged the court to use its powers and discretion.
Magistrate Jahateh however granted the accused bail in the sum of D300, 000 with a Gambian surety who should deposit his title deed with the Assistant Registrar.
