By Amadou Jadama
One Pa Ousman Saine of Mayamba village yesterday appeared before Principal Magistrate E Sowe in Barra court for allegedly receiving monies from various people for the purpose of facilitating their travelling to the Canary Islands in Spain.
Mr Saine, 52, is charged with a single count of acting as intermediary for the purpose of trafficking.
According to court records, Mr Saine on July 29 at Nuimi Lamin village and diverse places jointly mobilised and received monies to take them to Spain, an act that is detrimental to their lives.
He denied any wrongdoing.
Counsel for the accused Lawyer Badjie urged the court to have mercy on his client and grant him bail, considering the circumstances and the time the accused spent in detention.
Replying to the Counsel’s bail application, Superintendent Bakary Njie objected saying that the offence the accused person is charged with is serious and the minimum sentence is 15 years imprisonment, and if he is granted bail he may likely jump it.
Prosecutor Njie further informed the court that trafficking cases in the country is a great concern for the Gambia Immigration Department.
The trial magistrate however, overruled the prosecution’s application and granted bail to the accused person in the sum of D200,000 with one Gambian surety who must swear to an affidavit.
The case is adjourned to 23 August.
