Principal Magistrate Alagbe Taiwo Ade of the lower
court in Banjul on Monday, August 27 granted bail to two embattled officers of
Gambia’s National Drug Enforcement Agency (the NDEA).
Former Director of Intelligence and Investigations Mr.
Foday Barry and Crime Management Coordinator Mr. Pa Habib Mbye who are accused
of “theft, conspiracy and negligence of official duties” were granted a bail
bond of D300, 000 ($1000) each guaranteed by two Gambians.
They denied the charges when they were arraigned on
August 24, 2012 and are represented by council Mr. Emmanuel Chime.
“It will be in the interest of the justice for them
to be given a bail condition that they could afford,” argues Counsel Chime who
said it is a constitutional right to grant his clients bail. “Since May the
accused persons are without a job.”
Police prosecutor Sergeant Manga objects to the bail
application but saw his request dismissed by Magistrate Ade, presiding.
Manga cited incomplete investigations as being the
bases of his objection. He also feared interference with his witnesses whom he
said worked under the accused persons.
Popular
The accused are famous for authoring a damning
report in May which indicted as “corrupt” the present Vice Chancellor of the
University of The Gambia (UTG), Prof. Muhammadou Kah.
They were arrested and detained incommunicado for
three months after the content of the report was made public. Earlier charges
against the duo were dropped by State.
Source: The Voice
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