David Colley, former Director General of The Gambia Prisons Department, was yesterday granted a court bail to a sum of D100,000 plus two sureties and with two landed properties each valued at D50,000, by Principal Magistrate BY Camara of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

The presiding Magistrate’s ruling arose upon completion of the evidence given by Ms Agnis Rose Klu, acting Director General of Prisons Department.
In his application, Prosecution Officer Inspector Touray, said that the accused should be denied court bail, adding that there are other pending cases against the accused, and if granted bail may hinder investigations going on by the police.

Defence Counsel Antouman Gaye, strongly countered the application made by the prosecutor. He argued on the grounds of the laws and the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, which states that, continuous detention of the accused is illegal, adding that those claimed cases against the accused are not yet in the law court.
He therefore urged the court to grant his client a bail.

Delivering his ruling on the issue, Principal Magistrate BY Camara of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court observed that, the Prosecution Officer made several applications for the accused to be denied bail on grounds that there are pending cases against him and are under investigations. He noted that, continuous detention of the accused person will be against the law, because the offence he is charged with is a bailable offence.

“The court has given ample opportunity to the office of IGP to investigate the case. The court cannot be allowed to lean on one side of the case” he said.

He then granted the accused person to a bail in the sum of D100,000 plus two sureties and with two landed properties.

The case was adjourned for continuation.