By Amadou Jadama
Thirteen suspected timber dealers were on Tuesday arraigned before the magistrates’ court in Brikama charged with one count of importation of forest produce without a valid import certificate.
The accused persons were arraigned under three different magistrates, Senior magistrate Sainey Joof, Penda Sowe and Peter Adoh Che, and all of them pleaded not guilty to the single charge against them.
The accused persons are: Ousman Jallow, Ousman Barry, Lamin Jallow, Bubacarr Colley, Yorro Sowe, Musa Sowe, Abdoulie Gaye Cham, Abdoulie Jallow (Alagie), Abdoulie Jobe, Ahmed Jawara, Rashidou Marong, Badu Sillah and Anyiam Uchechukwu Edwim.
They were arrested in September in various places in Foni.
According to the bill of indictment filed by police prosecutors Sub Inspector Bobo Jarju, Inspector Kalilu Kinteh and Inspector Amat Touray, the accused persons were found importing timber logs without valid certificate.
They were subsequently granted them bail in the sum of 50,000, 40,000 and 30, 000 dalasi with one Gambian surety.
The accused persons were unrepresented.
