Isaac Atima, a Ghanian national was yesterday arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Edrissa Mbai on four counts of criminal offences.

The charges were possession of fake bank notes, purchasing fake bank notes, attempting to commit a felony and purchasing fake Bank notes. He denied all the counts charged.

Count one, the alleged offence stated that on 3rdDecember 2008 in the city of Banjul, the accused Isaac Atima was found at Carlton Hotel in possession of 16 fake American express travellers cheques in 500 hundred denomination amounting to 8000 pounds, which he knew to be fake.

On count two, the particulars of the offence revealed that on 3rdDecember 2008, in the city of Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, the accused was alleged to have transacted American travellers cheques amounting to 2000 pounds in 500 denomination equivalent to D75,254.10 at Standard Chartered Bank (Gambia Limited) knowing it to be fake.

On Count three, the alleged offence read that, on 3rdDecember 2008, in the city of Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, the accused Isaac Atima, attempted to transact American Express Travellers Cheques in 500 denomination amounting to 3000 pounds at the Standard Chartered Bank (Gambia Limited), which he knew to be fake.

While in Count four, the alleged offence, states that on 3rdDecember 2008, in the city of Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, the accused transacted American travellers cheques amounting to 1000 pounds in 500 hundred denomination equivalent to D39,400 with Trust Bank( Gambia Limited) knowing it to be fake.

He was granted court bail with one Gambian surety who must provide a leasehold title deed of a property within the Greater Banjul Area. The surety must also prove means.

The case was at length adjourned until 28thJanuary 2009.