Four police officers were yesterday formally charged at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court for ‘aiding and abetting’ the escape of a prisoner.

Modou Cham, Alhagie Mbye, Pa Camara and Mustapha Joof, all attached to Banjul police station, were arraigned before Principal Magistrate B. Y. Camara for allegedly helping one Abdou Njie to escape from their custody. 

The quartet was jointly charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony but they denied the allegations before being each granted bail to the tune of D5,000. As part of the bail requirements, the men had to also produce sureties who had to be Gambians.

According to the particulars of Count 1, the four policemen, on or about 16th April 2008, whilst on duty at Banjul police station, conspired to commit a felony by allowing a prisoner to escape from lawful custody.

The particulars of Count II state that the officers, on or about the 16th of April 2008 and between the hours of 21:00 and 23:00 p.m. at Banjul police station, aided one Abdou Njie to escape from lawful custody.

The case resumes on 7th May 2008.