Africa-Press – Gambia. 41 Foreign Nationals – five Chinese and thirty-seven Nigerians were, on Monday, 8th September 2025, arraigned before the Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy of Brikama Magistrates’ Court in the West Coast Region on two counts of offence.
The charge sheet indicated 42 accused, but one of them was later struck out, leaving only 41, and the defence lawyer raised no objection to this.
Deputy Commissioner M. Jarju, Assistant Commissioner M. Camara, and Deputy Superintendent B. Sawaneh represented the Inspector General of Police, while the said 41 accused were represented by Senior Counsel L.S Camara.
On court one of their offence, they were all charged with “unlawful possession of devices and data” contrary to Section 168 (3) & (4) of the Information and Communication Act Cap 74:03 Volume 12 Laws of The Gambia 2009.
According to the particular of offence, sometime in the month of August, 2025, at Old Yundum and diverse places, without lawful excuse had in their possession of two hundred and sixty-two (262) mobile phones marked IPHONE, Motorola and Redmi and one hundred and fifty-three (153) Desktop Computers, five (5) Laptops of various brand, cash amounting to twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred Dalasis (D29, 800), Power Banks, Flat Screen Television and various Computer accessories with intent to use same to carry out various criminal offences, thereby committed an offence.
On count two, they were charged with “computer-related extortion, fraud and forgery” contrary to Section 173(2) & (3) of the Information and Communication, Act Cap 74:03 Volume 12 Laws of The Gambia 2009.
The particular of offence alleged that, sometime in the month of August, 2025 at Old Yundum and diverse places, were found in your possession of two hundred and sixty-two (262) mobile phones marked IPHONE, Motorola and Redmi and one hundred and fifty-three (153) Desktop Computers, five (05) Laptops of various brand, Power Banks, Flat Screen Television and various Computer accessories meant for the purpose of making or producing fake data through various social media platform, thereby committed an offence.
After reading the charge sheet to the said accused, in English and Chinese languages, which they understand, they all pleaded not guilty to the offences against them.
D.C M. Jarju thereby applied for a short adjournment without objection to their bail.
All the 41 accused were granted bail by the court, in the sum of D300,000.00 each with two Gambian sureties who must depose to an affidavit of means.
The case has been adjourned to September 11, 2025, for continuation of proceedings.
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