The Banjul High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail application filed by Commissioner Yusupha Jatta, an ex-officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA).
It would be recalled that Commissioner Jatta was arraigned alongside other senior officers of the NDEA at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, and charged with eleven counts.
The High Court dismissed the application on the grounds that there was nothing in support of the affidavit to warrant the court to grant him bail.
Delivering his ruling, Justice M. Abdoulah pointed out that the applicant’s motion was supported by a 17-paragraph affidavit, and they are relying on all the paragraphs.
He added that the defence argued that the applicant has been in detention since 2 February 2013, and all the charges preferred against him are all bailable offences.
Justice Abdoulahi further stated that the counsel submitted that the applicant would not tamper with the witnesses, neither the investigation, and if granted bail he would not jump bail.
The judge added that the state through state counsel AM Yusuf also filed a four-paragraph affidavit in opposition, and urged the court not to grant bail to the applicant.
He said the state counsel then urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the state, as the applicant could flee if granted bail.
“After going through the submission of both sides, I arrived at the conclusion that there is nothing in support of the affidavit, which can warrant me to grant the applicant bail. The bail application is hereby dismissed,” the judge declared.
