The nineteen 19 protestors arrested at Kanilai, the birthplace of the former president were granted bail after they pleaded not guilty to the five counts preferred against them before Magistrates Omar Cham and Ms Faal of the Brikama Magistrates Court.
The following people Ebou Beteng Sanyang, Ansu Jatta, Anthony Jammeh, Lamin Kujabi, Samboujang Badjie, Kaddy Badjie, Momodou Jang Jallow, Awa Badjie, Ebrima Jammeh, Baboucarr Tamba, Assan Badjie, Cham Jarju and Saikou Omar Sanneh were arraigned yesterday before Magistrate Omar Cham. Subsequently, six people including Modou Lamin Manga, Bakary Jatta, Ansu Sanneh, Ansu Jarju, Nfamara Jarju and Modou Tamba were today arraigned before Magistrates Faal. They were charged with unlawful assembly, incitement of violence, prohibition of conduct, riot and conspiracy to commit misdemeanor. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Police prosecutors Sergeant Lamin Jammeh and Inspector K Gibba opposed the court in granting bail to the accused persons saying they may jump bail and travel to neighbouring Cassamance. They added that if granted bail they may commit similar offences. They urged the court to deny bail in the interest of justice and public safety.
The Magistrate in ruling said the offences are serious but granted bail to all the accused persons saying it was provided in the constitution. She said all the charges are bailable offences. Therefore, it is the discretion of the court to grant them bail.
They were granted bail in the sum of D500,000 with two Gambian sureties. Each must deposit their title deeds and national identity cards. The accused were ordered to surrender their documents to the Registrar of the Court.
The accused were warned not to take part in any riot or demonstration and told to attend all the sittings failure of which would result to revoking their bail. The case was adjourned to 20th June for hearing.
Meanwhile, the courtroom was full to capacity with families and relatives of the accused persons. They were all around the court verandah and premises. The PIU officers with riot gears were all over the place.
