John Bosco Maxwell, a Nigerian national, was on 6 March 2013 arraigned before Magistrate Jobarteh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, charged on two counts of obtaining money by false pretence and pretending to exercise witchcraft.
The particulars of offence on count one stated that the accused, John Bosco Maxwell, in December 2012, at Serrekunda, in the Kanifing Municipality, obtained D32,800 from one Echeqwo Uche Vincent under the pretext that he belonged to an organization that would make him a millionaire, which he knew was false, thereby committed an offence.
Count two stated that the accused in the same month, year and place, took D32,800 from Echeqwo Uche Vincent under the pretext that he would do spiritual work for him to be a millionaire which he knew to be false, thereby committed an offence.
The accused denied the charges.
Prosecutor Kinteh then rose and told the court that even though they had a witness they were informed the accused was sick.
He then applied for an adjournment.
Lawyer Mboto, who was representing the accused person, applied to the court to grant the accused bail.
She stated that the accused came with his medication to the court, adding that he has been residing in The Gambia for many years.
Counsel Mboto further argued that the offence was a misdemeanour.
Defence counsel posited that the accused was granted police bail and has not violated it, adding that as such, he would not violate the court bail if granted it.
She said the accused is a businessman and would not abandon his business.
Lawyer Mboto urged the court to use its discretion to grant the accused bail.
As a result, Magistrate Jobarteh granted the accused bail of D50,000 with one surety who must swear to an affidavit of means and to deposit an ID card or a residential permit.
The case was adjourned for hearing.
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