State
prosecutors on 6 March 2014 filed three counts of corruption, two counts of
impersonation and a false pretence charge against one Lamin Karbou, an NDEA
officer, before Magistrate Jobarteh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court. Also
charged alongside Kabou was one Lamin Jarju.They both denied the charges.
The particulars of offence on count one stated that Lamin Karbou some time in February 2014in the Kanifing Municipality, whilst employed as an officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), corruptly solicited D15,000 from Lamin Jarju with intent to compromise an ongoing investigation in a drugs (cannabis) case against one Kawsu Ceesay, and thereby committed an offence.
Count two stated that Lamin Karbou corruptly obtained D15,000 from Lamin Jarju.
Count three alleged that Lamin Jarju gave Lamin Karbou D15, 000, and thereby committed an offence.
Count four stated that Lamin Karbou falsely represented himself on the phone to be the NDEA director of operations to one Mamanding Darboe, a relative of Kawsu Ceesay and a drugs suspect in his custody, and thereby committed an offence.
State prosecutors further mentioned in count five that Lamin Karbou with intent to defraud, obtained D3,000 from Lamin Jarju under the pretext that he would supply him with three kilograms of cannabis, and thereby committed an offence.
State counsel Mam Jobe applied for an adjournment to call their first witness to testify.
Defence counsel Uzuma told the court that he was applying for bail for the accused persons. It was trite law that an accused person is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty, counsel added.
The accused are Gambians with families, and would not jump bail. They have sureties who would guarantee their appearance in court. They would not interfere with the witnesses.
Since they have been brought to court and charged, it means the investigations were finished. Moreover, they should be granted bail to prepare their defence.
However, granting bail was at the discretion of the court, Uzuma concluded.
Defence lawyer Mboge associated himself with what Uzuma told the court.
The state counsel did not oppose bail, but said the court should attach stringent conditions to the bail.
Magistrate Jobarteh then granted the accused persons bail of D50,000 with two Gambian sureties each, who would deposit their ID cards and swear to an affidavit of means.
The accused persons must also deposit their ID cards and passports with the court’s registrar.
The case was adjourned to 19 March 2014, for hearing.