The
10th accused person, Madun Sanyang, in the GNPC case, was yesterday granted
bail by Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.
He
was granted bail of US$900,000 with two Gambian sureties, who should be
Gambians and must deposit the title deed of a landed property located within
the jurisdiction of the court.
The
sureties should enter into recognisance for the presence of the applicant in
court to stand trial.
The
sureties must attach copies of their passport-size photos with the registrar of
the court, and deposed to an affidavit of means.
The
accused persons are Sira Wally Ndow-Njai, Momodou O.S. Badjie, Fafa Sanyang,
Cherno Marena, Seedy Kanyi, Muntaga Momodou Sallah, Momodou Taal, Louie Moses
Mendy and Noah Touray and Madun Sanyang.
When
the case was called, B. Jaiteh appeared for the state, whilst the defendants
were represented by senior counsel A.A.B. Gaye, O.M.M. Njie, C. Gaye, E.
Sanneh, H.S. Sabally, Y. Senghore, B. Bouye E.E. Chime, C.E Mene, S. Taal and
S. Sillah.
Delivering
his ruling, Justice Ottaba said the applicant was charged with one count of
economic crime and conspiracy to commit felony, which he denied.
He
said counsel L.S. Camara submitted that the applicant had been in custody since
his arrest.
Counsel
also said they were relying on all paragraphs in the affidavit.
Counsel
had submitted that the respondent briefs of arguments did not state anything
that would warrant the court to deny the applicant bail, and did urge the court
to grant the applicant bail.
The
judge added that the respondent urged the court to refuse the application, and
relied on all the paragraphs in the respondent’s affidavit.
He
said he had carefully looked at the information presented to him for
consideration.
He
also said the very essence of bail is to ensure the appearance of the applicant
in court.
Looking
at the nature of the offence it did not attract any death sentence upon
conviction, the judge went on, and that in view of the above he would exercise
his discretion in favour of the applicant, and grant him bail on the above
terms.
The
case continues on 22 December 2016.
