By Aisha Tamba
At least 23 mobile telephone dealers from the notorious Serekunda ‘Black Market’ were last week arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court charged with unlawful possession of stolen phones.
The dealers are Demba Camara Gambian, Momodou Nyass Gambian, Nowen Faye Senegalese, Moustapha Diop Senegalese, Mamadou Bah Gambian, Amadou Bah Gambian, Collins John Nigerian, Ali Sillah Gambian, Lamin Beyai Gambian, Alagie Jallow Gambian, Momodou Salieu Jallow Gambian, Ousmane Ndiaye Senegalese, Mbacké Diop Senegalese, Ebrima Bah Gambian, Ass Thiam Senegalese, Njaka Badgie Gambian, Emmanuel Onuka Ogu Nigerian, John Chiele Onyemji Nigerian, Alagie Sidibeh Gambian, James Ebubechi Obah Nigerian, Dominion Ejimofor Nigerian, Saikou Sambou Gambian, and Bamba Jaiteh Gambian.
According to the charge sheet, the men were found in possession of mobile phones reasonably believed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained on 4th February at Serekunda Market’s Black Market.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge before Magistrate Mam Samba Jallow.
The police prosecution Sub-inspector L Gomez objected to their bail on the grounds that they might interfere with the investigations and jump bail which will hinder the progress of the trial and “defeat the purpose of justice”.
He argued that even though the offences they have been charged with are bailable, the magistrate reserves the discretionary right to grant bail.
“I urge the court to grant this prayer by denying them bail and remand them at Mile II Prison,” he requested.
The magistrate accepted the plea and ordered them remanded.
“The court will determine on the next hearing date whether to grant them bail or strike out the case if the police fail to exhaust their investigation,” she stated.
