Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court yesterday refused to grant bail to Amadou Bidwell, alias, Boy Bansang, who is currently detained at the State Central Prisons, Mile Two, charged with aiding and abetting, contrary to Section 23 of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia.

This development came when the defence counsel for the accused Badou Conteh, made an application before the court to grant his client bail. Mr Conteh told the court that the accused is a responsible man with two wives and children, and he is heavily dependant. He said there is nothing before the court to say that his client has criminal records.

“The charges he is accused of is bailable and since April 16, 2007, the accused was under detention,” he said. Mr Conteh therefore urged the court to grant his client bail.

But in response, the Police Prosecutor handling the case, Sergeant Jahateh, objected to the bail application. He said if the accused is granted bail there is likelihood that he may interfere with witnesses the police may like to know on the matter. He therefore urged the court to dismiss the defence’s bail application.

In his ruling, Magistrate Jammeh ruled that he cannot grant Boy Bansang bail for the fact that in open court he confessed that he deals in hard drugs.

“His colleagues are also still in detention in Mile Two, so granting him bail is not fair. I will grant him bail on the next adjourned date with the rest of his colleagues,” he added. He therefore adjourned the matter to May 7, 2007.

It could be recalled that last week, 58 bandits were arrested in the compound of Boy Bansang, London Corner, in Serrekunda by the Police. 33 were charged with rogue and vagabond, and currently undergoing detention in Mile Two, together with Boy Bansang.