The ongoing alleged paedophile case, involving Anthony Michael Dobson, a tourist who is standing trial for defiling a minor and child pornography is set for ruling next Monday at the Brikama Magistrates Court presided over by Magistrate Ayoub John Njie.

Mr Dobson was charged along with his Gambian accomplish, Mustapha Drammeh who was charged with procuring a child (name withheld) for Mr Anthony, contrary to Section 30 Sub-Section 1(a) of the Children’s Act.

When the case was called yesterday, the defence counsel Borry Touray was absent. The police prosecutor, ASP Touray expressed his dissatisfaction over the numerous adjournments the case has suffered. He urged the court to put that into consideration and ensure a speedy trial. The presiding magistrate said the case was going on fine and that he will give a ruling on the case next week.

Mustapha Drammeh, the second accused person requested for them to be granted bail but his request was refused by the presiding magistrate.

Two NIA officers, Demba Sowe and Abubacarr Jallow, have failed in a bid to get their bail condition reviewed by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Edrisa Mbai.

The bail review application was made on behalf of the accused persons by their defence counsels, Lamin Camara and Kebba Sanyang.

According to lawyer Camara, the defence is opposing to any application for an adjournment, adding that on the last adjourned date the prosecution informed the court that the investigation in to the case was ongoing and now the case file was sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers for legal advice. He said the defence wants a speedy trial of the case since it is the accused persons’ constitutional right to be tried within a reasonable period of time.

Lawyer Camara further submitted that the defence is aware of the fact that the accused persons had been granted bail but they could not fulfill the bail conditions as the defence was running from pillar to post. He said since the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the matter, the defence was applying for a review of one of the bail conditions.

In response the police prosecution, Cadet Inspector Keita, said in view of the fact that the offence is a bailable offence that was why the court granted the accused persons bail. He said the prosecution was opposing to the defence counsel application to have the bail condition reviewed, adding that the court in granting the application for bail had considered the magnitude of the offence and he urged the court to refuse the defence application. Prosecutor Keita earlier on applied for an adjournment of the case on the ground that the case file had been sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers for legal advice.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, Edrisa Mbai, said the defence did not give the reason why the court can review the bail conditions. He said the defence only informed the court that they had made efforts but they could not fulfill the bail conditions. He consequently refused the bail review application of the defence. He also equally warned the prosecution to always be ready with their cases before coming to court.

It could be recalled that the two NIA officers Demba Sowe and Abubacarr Jallow are standing trial on a charge of abuse of office, a charge they denied.

According to the particulars of the alleged offence, the accused persons being public officers employees of the NIA, between February and March 2008 in Banjul, Kololi and diverse places abused their authority by failing to disclose vital information and recover exhibits in the case of the State against Christopher Badjie to the relevant authorities an arbitrary act prejudicial to the State and thereby committed an offence.

The case was adjourned to 13th October 2008.

According to the particulars of the offence, some time in May 2008 at the NIA office in the city of Banjul, the accused abused his office by receiving the sum of D51, 000 from one Bubacarr Jallow for safe keeping knowing that the said amount was stolen. He denied the charge.

He was granted court bail in the sum of D100, 000 with one Gambian surety who must be in the rank of a police commissioner.

The case was adjourned until 13thOctober 2008.

In another development two NIA officers Demba Sowe and Bubacarr Jollow who are standing trial for the offence of abuse of office are also expected to make their second appearance today before Magistrate Edrisa Mbai of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

According to the alleged offence, the two accused persons Demba Sowe and Abubacarr Jallow being public officers employed of the NIA between Ferbruary and March 2008 in Banjul, Kololi and diverse places abused their authority, by failing to disclose vital information and recover exhibits in the case of the State against Christopher Badjie to the relevant authorities, an arbitrary act prejudicial to the State and thereby committed an offence.

They both denied the charge.

Four Police officers namely Lamin Jammeh, Sissawo Badjie, Sheikh Sowe and Dawda Jallow were yesterday Wednesday 24th September 2008 granted bail by Magistrate Kumba Sillah Camara of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court.

The officers posted at the Bundung Police Station stand accused of aiding Saikou Keita, Seedy Kanteh, Momodou Kumba Gaye, Ousman Touray, Madi Sowe, Alieu Kanteh, Sulayman Senghore, Lamin Manneh, Muhammed Jonga, Essa Sowe and Samba Badjie to effect their escape while under detention at the Bundung Police Station. They all pleaded not guilty to the offence charged on them.

On resumption of the case yesterday, the counsel for the fourth accused person Kebba Sanyang applied for bail on behalf of the four accused persons notifying the court that the accused persons are police officers and that they are charged under section 109 of the Criminal Code.

He added that the accused persons are responsible members of society and that they have families within the jurisdiction thus if granted bail, they will appear before the court.

He further stated that the offence in question is bailable and its punishment is two years imprisonment and not life imprisonment. He then urged the court to grant the accused persons bail and give time to consult and prepare for the case hence it is a new case.

The prosecuting officer ASP Camara did not object to the application made by the defence counsel Kebba Sanyang. Counsel for the first three accused Assan Martin, was also present in court.

Magistrate Kumba Sillah Camara went on to grant the application made by the counsel and granted bail to the accused to the tune of D100, 000 to each and a Gambian surety who will furnish the court with an affidavit of means. The case was at that juncture to the 15th October 2008 for the prosecution to open its case.

One Binta Camara of Kunkunjang village was on 17th September 2008 arraigned before Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court on a charge of being in possession of suspected stolen property.

According to the charge sheet, on 30th July 2008 at Kunkunjang village the accused was found in possession of various items valued at D2, 242, all being the property of one Modou Bah, a charge she denied.

She was later granted court bail in the sum of D5000 with one Gambian surety.

Hearing continues.

In a separate development, one Omar Kamaso of Tallinding who had been standing trial for alleged stealing was on 18th September 2008 discharged by the Bundung Magistrates’ court.

Mr Kamaso was on 14th August 2008 alleged to have stolen a bumper bicycle at Tallinding valued at D1800, being the property of one Sulayman Jallow.

However, the complainant later informed the court that he wished to withdraw the matter.

His application was later granted and the accused was subsequently discharged.