By Bruce Asemota
The High Court presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh has refused bail for three persons, Alasana Krubally, Alieu Tangara and Yankuba Tangara who are
charged with three counts of criminal offences including stealing a total value of D7,754,913,20.
According to Justice Jaiteh, the trio were initially granted bail by the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court in the sum of D8,000,000.00 but they claimed that the condition of bail was excessive.
Justice Jaiteh asserted that Section 99 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides that the amount of bail shall be fixed with due regard to the circumstances of the case and shall not be excessive.
Justice Jaiteh said the total value of the stolen items by the applicants is D7,754,913.20 and considering the value of the items allegedly stolen by the applicants, the fixing of bail bond to the sum of D8,000,000.00 is not excessive.
Justice Jaiteh further said that any attempt to vary the bail condition or release these ppplicants on a lesser bail bond may infringe on Section 99 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The judge stated that their release may lead to injustice in the event that they jump bail and the victims would not be adequately compensated.
He pointed out that they were granted bail by the magistrates’ court and any surety or sureties must have the means of D8,000,000.00 before they could be released.
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh concluded that the bail conditions given by the magistrates’ court are reasonable and he accordingly refused to grant bail to the applicants.
