Twenty-four
government officials, charged with neglect of official duties and abuse of
office, yesterday pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the amended charges, before
Magistrate Kebba Baldeh of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
When
the case was mentioned, Inspector Sanyang said he was representing the IGP, and
with him was Sergeant Jaiteh and CPL Bojang.
Lawyers
E. Sanneh and Yasin Senghore represented the accused persons.
Yasin
Senghore held brief for lawyer Omar Njie, while E. Sanneh held brief for Combeh
Gaye.
Police
prosecutor Sanyang applied to amend the charge sheet under section 169 of the
CPC to substitute the previous charge sheet, so the accused persons could take
their plea.
The
defence team did not raise any objection.
The
amended charge sheet was then read to the accused persons, who pleaded not
guilty.
The
prosecutor applied for an adjournment to call their first witness.
Lawyer
Senghore told the court that some of the accused persons were on police bail,
and she applied for bail under section 24 of the constitution and 99 of the
CPC.
She
argued that the offences were a misdemeanor.
The
prosecutor did object to the bail application.
Lawyer
E. Sanneh then told the court that the 8th and 13th accused persons were issued
with a bench warrant on 14 November 2016, to appear in court.
He
added that they were in court yesterday, and could take their plea.
He
urged the court to discharge the bench warrant, adding that he was applying for
bail in respect of his clients in accordance with section 99 of the CPC and
section 19 of the constitution.
He
added that the accused persons were on bail, and that there was no indication
that a single term of the conditions set had been breached.
He
further stated that since the prosecutor did not object to their application
for bail, the defence was urging the court to grant their application.
He
added that the terms should be commensurate with the offences charged.
The
prosecutor responded that the 8th accused person was not issued with a bench
warrant, but he was in remand, adding that they went for the accused and,
before their arrival, the court had risen.
Magistrate
Baldeh said a bench warrant was not issued for the 8th accused person.
He
subsequently granted the accused persons bail of D250,000 each with two Gambian
sureties, who should each have a title deed within the Greater Banjul Area, and
should also deposit their ID cards.
He
said the previous bail granted to the accused persons earlier by Magistrate
Cham would be maintained.
The
case was adjourned until 8 December 2016, for hearing.
