Momodou
Sabally, former Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services
(GRTS), was yesterday granted bail of one million dalasis (D1,000,000) with two
Gambian sureties, by Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay of the High Court in Banjul.
Momodou
Sabally was first arraigned on 8 November 2016 before Justice E.O. Dada and had
been in custody until yesterday, when he was granted bail by Justice Amina
Saho-Ceesay.
Sabally
was indicted with eight counts of criminal offences of economic crime, abuse of
office, neglect of official duty and giving false information to a public
officer.
During
yesterday’s hearing, the applicant represented by lawyer L.S. Camara filed a
23-paragraph affidavit sworn to by one Kebba Sanneh of Fajikunda in the
Kanifing Municipality, and urged the court to grant the applicant bail on such
conditions and terms.
In
delivering the ruling, Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay said she heard the applicant
move the motion on notice filed on 6 December 2016, and had also perused the
affidavit in support sworn to on 6 December 2016.
She
had also taken into consideration that the state (respondent) did not file any
affidavit in opposition, and that counsel for the state (respondent) did not
oppose bail being granted.
The
presiding judge then granted bail to Momodou Sabally of D1 million with two
Gambian sureties; one or both of the sureties must have landed properties
valued at not less than D1 million and must deposit the original title deed of
the property with the registrar of the High Court, and also enter into recognisances.
The
judge further ordered that Sabally deposits his National Identification Card
(ID Card), passport and any other travel documents he might possess with the
Registrar of the High Court.
The
matter was adjourned until 2 February 2017, at 10 am for mention.