Mr Kassama who was represented by lawyers Uzuma Achibue and Dayoh Small pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft and was granted bail after his lawyers battled for his release on bail.
The presiding magistrate, Dawda Jallow, granted him bail in the sum of D5 million with two Gambian sureties each of whom shall enter into recognisance of the said amount and also to deposit their title deeds of properties situated within the Greater Banjul Area. Mr Kassama was also ordered to deposit all his travelling documents with the registrar of the court.
Prior to the granting of bail, police prosecutor, Corporal Alieu Faye, urged the court not to grant bail to Mr Kassama as investigations were still going on and there was likelihood that if granted bail he might abscond.
Corporal Faye said the amount involved was “huge”. However, his application was rejected by the magistrate.
According to the charge sheet, from May 2013 to 2014, Mr Kassama converted an amount of $563,230.80 which was equivalent to D23,233,270.5 into his own personal use being proceeds of ten containers of sardines supplied to him for sale by Premium Ventures Inc Ltd.
Hearing resumes December 3.
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