Bamba Bah, a native of Brikama, Western Region, was on Monday arraigned before Magistrate Ayoub John Njie of the Brikama Magistrates Court on six charges of cattle theft, worth D107,000.
According to the prosecution, Mr Bah had stolen seven heads of cattle valued at D37,000, belonging to one Aja Nyima Tunkara. The accused was also charged with stealing another three heads of cattle worth D13,000; and an additional two heads of cattle valued at D14,000.
Meanwhile, Mr Bah was also accused of stealing five heads of cattle, one bull and an additional two heads of cattle valued at D25,000, D6,000 and D12,000, respectively.
However, Bah has pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, incriminating some groups of people in Brikama as being responsible for the theft but wanting to see him down. But Presiding Magistrate Njie reminded him that he should be ready to defend himself with the truth if he wants to be a free man.
Police Prosecutor ASP Joof submitted an application for the accused not to be granted granted a court bail, but the magistrate turned down the application, saying that every accused person has a constitutional right to a bail.
He then granted the accused person a court bail to the sum of D100,000 to be signed by a Gambian surety, plus a valid ID card and an affidavit. The case was then adjourned for the continuation of the proceedings.