Court denies bail to Woman facing 14 charges

According to prosecutors, the woman defrauded 14 individuals in the sum of D725,000 on the pretext that she was going to  secure them an America visa.

The accused was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses contrary to Section 288 of the Criminal Code cap10:01 Volume 3 Laws of The Gambia 2009. She, however, pleaded not guilty to all the 14 count charges.

The particulars of offence revealed that Mam Tut Wadda on the 1st day of November, 30th of October and on the 21st of September 2023 at Pipeline in Kanifing Municipality by false pretense with intent to defraud Hanafi Jurhy, obtained the sum of D180,000; Saikou Ceesay, the sum of D130,000; Haruna Jarju D20,000 and Muhammed Keita, the sum of D13,000.

The offences charged also stated that the accused in Pipeline in 2023, obtained D15, 000 from one Pa Modou Tamba, on the 15th November 2023, she also obtained D60,000 from one Jankey Kinteh; while on the 16th of October, she was given D35,000 by Modou Lamin Fadera and D54,000 by one Abdoulie Jagne .

The charges further indicated that, Mam Tut Wadda on the 7th of November September 2023 at Pipeline took D94,000 from Fatoumatta Bah; D27, 000 from one Musa Ceesay, D25,000 from one Bamba Kanteh and D82,000 from three others.

However, the prosecutor, inspector Inna Jallow told the court that the offence committed by the accused is bailable under section 24 of the Constitution of The Gambia but opposed that the accused should not be granted bail as she described her as a “habitual offender” and has been convicted once and currently facing trial before Magistrate M. Faal. “If the accused is granted bail, she will continue the act. I apply that she should be remanded at Mile 2 pending her appearance in court,” she told the court.

Meanwhile, the accused pleaded for bail, stating that she was three months pregnant and having a one year old baby at the same time battling with some health issues.

In her ruling, Magistrate Sallah Mbaye said, she considered that the offence charged is a bailable one and the accused is a habitual offender, stating the police have the sole responsibility to safeguard the citizens. She therefore granted the application made by the prosecutor.

The matter was adjourned until 7th February 2024.