Defense counsel disputes client’s sureties’ signatures on bail bond

By Nicholas Bass

Following the disappearance of the accused, KaddyjatouKebbeh who was charged with four counts of offence including theft and money laundry, on 20th July 2023, her counsel denied the signature of the sureties of his client who deposited five compound documents for the release of the alleged thief of GACH Global Trading Company.

Defense counsel Echezonaeh Ukwu yesterday denied the signature of Salifu Banna Drammeh and Alfusainey Juwaraon the affidavit as allegedly signed by the sureties (SalifuBanna Drammeh and Alfusainey Juwara) of the accused Kaddyjatou pending the hearing and determination of the case at Banjul High Court before Justice Francis A Achibonga.

Defense Counsel Ukwu noted that the 1st surety, Salifu BannaDrammeh was out of the jurisdiction (country) but claimed that the 2nd surety, Alfusainey Juwara was not in Town.

However, the State counsel LaminJarjue argued that the 1st and the 2nd sureties, Salifu Banna Drammeh and AlfusaineyJuwara both signed an affidavit at the court after admitting the deposited five (5) compound documents for the release of the accused, Kaddyjatou Kabbeh, pointed out that the signature of the sureties of the accused was a proof to ascertain that they signed.

Justice Achibonga at this juncture gave no further time for any argument on the bases of the signature of the sureties of the accused, and he quickly ordered foreign experts to determine the sureties’ (Salifu Banna Drammeh and Alfusainey Juwara) signatures on the bail bond affidavit of the accused, Kaddyjatou Kebbeh.

However, Kaddyjatou Kebbeh at the court was granted bail for five compounds within the Greater Banjul area with an amount of nine million Dalasi (D9 Million) and the title deeds of the properties of five compounds that were deposited as securities for the release of the accused Kaddyjatou Kebbehafter being charged with four counts of theft and money laundry.

It could be recalled that the accused Kaddyjatou Kebbeh was charged with four (4) counts of offence including theft and money laundering in 2021 and 2022.