By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Mustapha Barrow, an employee of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), has been arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing One Million and One Hundred Thousand Dalasi (D1,100,000).
Inspector Baba Jallow appeared for the Inspector General of Police in the case. The provision of the Criminal Code the tax collector was charged under attracts a 5-year jail term if he is found guilty.
According to the particulars of the offence, the police alleged that Mustapha Barrow converted D1,100,000 to his use in February 2024 in the Kanifing Municipality. The money allegedly belonged to Ebou Njie and was intended to clear his shipment of iron rods. Barrow, as a staff of the Gambia Revenue Authority, promised to facilitate the clearance at the time. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution requested that Barrow be kept under custody and for the court to deny him bail. Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye granted bail to Mr Barrow for One Million and Three Hundred Thousand Dalasi (1,300,000) or to get two (2) Gambian sureties who must provide an affidavit of means and a title deed of equal value verified by an accredited asset valuator.
The Magistrate made it clear that if Barrow were to flee the jurisdiction, those who stood as sureties would be summoned to justify why their bail bond should not be surrendered to the State.
The case was adjourned to the 10th of June 2024 for a hearing at noon. Barrow could not fulfil the bail conditions and was escorted by police to the Mile Two Central Prison.
