Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court of The Gambia on Monday heard arguments over whether Abba Sanyang and six co-accused persons should remain in custody or be granted bail as they await trial on criminal charges.
State prosecutors urged the court to remand the accused and adjourn the matter to allow the prosecution to begin presenting its witnesses.
However, defense lawyers strongly opposed the request, arguing that the offenses listed in the indictment are bailable under Gambian law.
Counsel K. Sanyang, representing the first accused, Abba Sanyang, told the court that the charges are neither capital offenses nor punishable by life imprisonment, making them eligible for bail. He added that his client demonstrated his willingness to face the allegations after learning about the case through media reports.
“The accused is ready to face the charges. These are not offenses that warrant denial of bail,” the lawyer submitted.
Another defence counsel, Lamin J. Darboe, who represents the remaining six accused persons, also argued that several of the counts in the indictment are classified as misdemeanors.
According to Darboe, the offenses carry prison terms ranging from one to three years, which under the law generally qualify for bail consideration.
He further told the court that the accused persons are unlikely to abscond, noting that they sought legal representation and appeared before the court after learning about the charges through the media and social media.
Darboe also urged the court to impose reasonable bail conditions, stressing that the Constitution guarantees the protection of personal liberty.
In response, state counsel S.L. Jobarteh said the police had informed the accused persons of the charges after the case was filed.
He noted that the indictment contains both joint and individual charges against the accused and told the court that the prosecution would leave the decision on bail to the discretion of the presiding judge.
During the proceedings, the presiding judge, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, asked the defense to clarify their proposed bail conditions, particularly in relation to the 14 million dalasis referenced in the case.
Defence counsel argued that bail should be determined based on the maximum punishment attached to the alleged offences rather than the total monetary value cited in the allegations.
Darboe suggested that if the monetary amount were to be considered, it should be apportioned among the seven accused persons.
Justice Jaiteh is expected to rule on whether the accused will be granted bail as the case proceeds.
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