Posted by By Dawda Faye
Lamin Jatta and Omar Danso were earlier today arraigned before Principal Magistrate Isatou Janneh-Njie of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court and charged with obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent sale of property.
They were alleged to have sold a plot of land situated at Sukuta Coastal Road measuring 20 by 25 to the tune of D130,000 to one Musa Kanteh and Omar Kanteh, which they claimed to own, a representation they knew was false. They denied any wrongdoing.
When the case was called, ASP Manga rose and told the court that he was representing the Inspector General of Police while Lawyer Njie announced his representation for the accused persons. Counsel Njie applied to the court to grant the accused persons bail. ASP Manga did not raise any objection for the accused to be granted bail.
The presiding magistrate subsequently granted the accused bail in the sum of D150,000 with a Gambian surety each, who should surrender their ID cards to the registrar of the court. They should also swear to an affidavit of means and to ensure that the accused are available whenever they are needed by the court. The case continues.
The accused were later moved to another courtroom where Magistrate Joof was presiding over some cases. They were asked to get into the witness box, which they did. The charge sheet, which was read to them, indicated that they obtained money by false pretence, further stating that they sold a plot of land measuring 20 by 25 situated at Sukuta Nema to the tune of D120,000 to one Buba Sanyang, which they claimed to own, a representation they knew was false. They pleaded not guilty.
Lawyer Njie, who was representing both the accused persons, applied to the court to grant bail to his clients. ASP Manga, the prosecuting officer, did not raise any objection for the accused to be granted bail. Magistrate Joof then granted them bail in the sum of D150,000 with two male sureties who should swear to an affidavit of means and surrender their ID cards to the registrar of the court. The case was subsequently adjourned to the 3rd May, 2019, for hearing.
Omar Danso was asked to step down from the witness box while Lamin Jatta was asked to remain there to answer to another charge. The court clerk read another charge sheet to him, and it stated that he obtained money by false pretence.
It was alleged that he sold a plot of land measuring 20 by 20 to one Abdoulie Saho to the tune of D185,000, situated at Sukuta Nema which he claimed to own, a representation he knew was false. He denied any wrongdoing.
His counsel, Lawyer Njie, applied for him to be granted bail, and ASP Manga did not raise any objection. He was then granted bail by Magistrate Joof in the sum of D300,000 with a Gambian surety who should swear to an affidavit of means and to surrender his or her ID card to the registrar of the court.
Hearing continues on the 3rd May, 2019.