Patrica Sjoorda who is from The Netherlands was arraigned yesterday for writing to the Office of the President in May accusing the Gambia Tourism Board. The police accused Ms Sjoorda of stating in her petition that the board unlawfully closed her gaming house (Lucky Place) which she knew to be false. She pleaded not guilty after the Dutch consular officer, We Soppe, interpreted the charge to her in English.
After denying the allegation, her lawyer, Fola Allen, applied to the court to grant her bail. “The offence is misdemeanor and is a bailable offence,’ she said.
Her application for bail was not opposed by the prosecutor, ASP Musa Camara. He however told the court: “I only want the court to consider she is not a Gambian.”
In granting the accused bail, Magistrate Lamin Mbaye said the accused should deposit D50,000 or provide a Gambian with valid identity card. He also ordered the accused to surrender all her traveling documents before she could be released on bail. The case will resume October 13 for hearing.
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