By Amadou Jadama
Two Gambians and six Guineans were yesterday arraigned before Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo of the Brikama court for allegedly assaulting Gambia immigration post officials in Gunjur.
The eight were charged with two counts, conspiracy to commit felony and grievous bodily harm.
The accused persons are Domingo Manneh known as Pokal Guinean, Muhammed Silver known as Boy Boy Guinean, Momodou Yero Gaye known as Tamba, Guinean, Momodou Barry known as Zion Guinean, Banjul Sanyang, Gambian, Lamin Jarju Gambian, Amadou Wurry Jallow Guinean, and Carlos Sambou Guinean.
The prosecution is alleging that the eight accused persons on April 9 conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit causing grievous bodily harm to Omar Yaboe, Sulayman Camara, and Yusupha Marong, all immigration officers at the Gunjur border post.
On count two, the eight are alleged to have unlawfully caused grievous bodily harm to these officers by chopping them with cutlasses on their heads, hands, and their faces. The accused persons, except Momodou Yero Gaye, pleaded not guilty.
Gaye however pleaded guilty on both counts, saying “I have beaten them once with a stick”.
The accused persons, who were unrepresented urged the court to grant them bail, arguing they are all living in the country with their families, and they have given the assurance that if granted bail, they would not abscond. This was however opposed by prosecuting officer Swaibou Bittaye, who argued the investigations are still on and they could tamper that process if bailed.
In her ruling, the Principal Magistrate Dabo said six out of the eight accused persons are non-Gambians and they have no identification documents, therefore, that does not warrant her to grant them bail. She said if they are granted bail, they will likely jump the jurisdiction. “I therefore order that the 8 accused persons be remanded in custody, pending the next adjournment date.”
Superintendent Musa Camara, ASP Suwaibou Bittaye, and Inspector Kemo Y Manneh represented the IGP.
