Following Escape of 11 Detainees, Four Police Officers Charged, Remanded

At least four police officers posted at the Bundung Police Station were on Tuesday 16th September 2008 arraigned before the Bundung Magistrates' Court on a charge of aiding prisoners to escape from lawful custody.

Officers Lamin Jammeh, Sissawo Badjie, Sheikh Sowe and Dawda Jallow stand accused of aiding Saikou Keita, Seedy Kanteh, Momodou Kumba Gaye, Ousman Touray, Madi Sowe, Alieu Kanteh, Sulayman Senghore, Lamin Manneh, Muhammed Jonga, Essa Sowe and Samba Badjie to effect their escape while under detention at the Bundung Police Station.

When the case was mentioned, the presiding Magistrate, Kumba Sillah-Camara, asked the accused persons whether they intend to hire the services of a lawyer before taking their pleas and all responded in the positive. The fourth accused person, Dawda Jallow, told the court since the incident occured, on the 11th September 2008, they were all in detention and were never informed that they had been charged.

At that juncture the presiding Magistrate adjourned the case to the 24th September to enable them to secure the services of a lawyer, but ordered that they be remanded in custody until the next adjourned date.