By Kebba Jeffang Three Gambian men have been separately accused of involving in multiple homosexual acts and arraigned on Monday, 9 February, 2015 at the high court in Banjul before Justice Simone Abi.The three accused persons namely Alieu Sarr, who is charged with 6 counts, Momar Sowe with 4 counts and Modou Lamin Bittaye with 5 counts, have all denied the un-natural offences and conspiracy charges leveled against them. The state was represented by A.M. Yusuf, state counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers. Lawyers Lamin S. Camara, Sagarr Jahateh and Combeh Gaye Coker appeared for Alieu Sarr and Momarr Sowe whilst Borry S. Touray represented Modou Lamin Bittaye. The particulars of offence on count one states that Alieu Sarr sometime in 2010 at Bijilo in the West Coast Region within the jurisdiction of the court committed an offence to wit engaged in homosexual acts with Fallou Camara. On count two, it states that Alieu Sarr on the same date, place and time committed an offence to engage in homosexual acts with Serigne Boye Jallow. Count three states that Alieu Sarr sometime in 2014 at Brusubi in the West Coast Region conspired with Fallou Camara to engage in homosexual acts. Count four states that Alieu Sarr on the same place and time conspired with Serigne Boye Jallow to engage in homosexual acts. Count five states that Alieu Sarr in 2002 at diverse places in the Gambia and elsewhere within the jurisdiction of the court conspired with Mamoud to engage in homosexual acts. In count six, it is alleged that Alieu Sarr in 2013 at diverse places in the Gambia and elsewhere within the jurisdiction of the court conspired with Serigne Mboob to engage in homosexual acts. As for Modou Lamin Bittaye, it is alleged in Count One that sometime in 2014 at Kotu in Kanfing Municipality within the jurisdiction of the court, committed an offence to wit engaged in homosexual acts with Saloum Njie. Count two states that Modou Lamin Bittaye sometime in 2014 at Busmbala in west coast region committed an offence to wit engage in homosexual acts with Njanko Ceesay. On the third count, it states that Modou Lamin Bittaye in 2014 at Latrikunda in the Kanifing Municipality within the jurisdiction of the court committed an offence to wit engaged in homosexual acts with Gibou Jatta. Count four states that Modou Lamin Bittaye in 2014 in Busumbala conspired with Njanko Ceesay to engage in homosexuality. On the fifth count, Modou Lamin Bittaye in 2014 in Latrikunda in KM conspired with Gibou Jatta to engage in homosexual acts. According to the indictment, Momar Sowe, sometime in 2002 at Brusubi in West Coast Region conspired with Modou Lamin Conateh to engage in homosexual acts. On count two, it states that Momar Sowe at Brusubi in West Coast Region conspired with Modou Lamin Conateh to engage in homosexual acts. Count three states that Momar Sowe sometime in 2003 at Lugi Restaurant in Palma in KM and elsewhere within the jurisdiction conspired with Kebba Ceesay to engage in homosexual acts. On the fourth count, it is stated that Momar Sowe in 2003 at diverse places in the Gambia and elsewhere conspired with Iker Nyan to wit, engage in homosexuals acts. At this stage, the defence Counsel, Lamin Camara informed the court that they have filed an application for bail on behalf of their clients Alieu Sarr and Momar Sowe since 28 January 2015 pending the court, adding that they are yet to file the affidavit of opposition. However, state counsel Yusuf said they have responded to the application since 5th February 2015. Lawyer Touray, counsel for Modou Lamin Bittaye, said bail for his client is more urgent than the hearing of the matter. However, the trial judge in response to counsel Touray’s submission adjourned the matter for the bail application to be heard on the 12th February, 2015, while the case of Alieu Sarr and Momar Sowe was adjourned for hearing on the 16th February 2015.]]>
