By Omar Bah
A team of High Court judges led by Justice Aminata Saho-Ceesay yesterday granted bail to Yankuba Touray and Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay.
The two accused persons, who were jointly charged with interfering with a TRRC witness, were last week discharged by the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court upon a request from the prosecution team to transfer the matter to the superior court.
In her ruling, Justice Saho-Ceesay ordered the accused to pay a bail sum of one million dalasis or landed property worth of that sum, deposit of original title deeds of that landed property, two Gambian sureties who shall both deposit their original national identity cards or passports.
The judge also further made a declaration that Yankuba Touray and Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay are allowed to move freely within the jurisdiction of the court.
Yankuba and FJC were arraigned before the high court on three criminal counts: Conspiracy, contrary to section 368 of the Criminal Code and each of them is facing a single count on interfering with potential TRRC witness or informant contrary to section 36A of the TRRC Act.
The matter initially commenced at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court in March.
Defence lawyer Abdoulie Sisoho told the court that Yankuba Touray is a farmer and travels throughout the country and urged the court to make an order that would allow him to move about without any interference or resistance from any person or authority.
“My client should have the liberty to travel within the country at any time without restriction, both day and night,” Sisoho submitted.
The State Counsel, AM Yusuf before the ruling enjoined the court to exercise its discretion in granting the bail by attaching conditions that are just and would guarantee the appearance of the defendants.
Hearing resumes 8 May.
