Arson Charge Dropped for Jambur 4

The four Jambur men who were charged with three counts of arson, conspiracy and threatening to burn have now had their counts reduced to a two-count charge of conspiracy and threatening to burn only.

Morro Gassama, Nuha Darboe, Foday Bojang and Momodou Bojang were yesterday granted them bail as the presiding magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh pronounced that there was no tangible evidence to prove that the accused committed any arson.

They had all along been remanded in custody.

MagistratePa Harry Jammeh maintained that the evidence of the prosecution was weak on the arson charge.

He therefore urged the prosecution to drop the charge of arson and proceed with the other counts.

But Magistrate Jammeh warned the accused that he would not hesitate to revoke their bail if they failed to keep the peace.

The defence counsel Badou Conteh had earlier told the court that he had served the prosecution and the court with a'no-case-to-answer' submission.

The case was adjourned until 28th April 2009 for the accused to open their defence.

The accused were initially charged with two counts of arson and conspiracy, as they were alleged to have set fire to the house of the village Alkalo, Kebba Juju Bojang, on 31st January 2009.

The prosecution later applied for an additional charge of "threatening to burn".

The charge reads: "On or about the 29th day of January 2009, at Jambur village, you knowingly uttered and caused to be received directly or indirectly threats to burn houses of one Alhagie Kebba Juju Bojang, the Alkalo of Jambur if he did not offer your people to return back."