Ansuman Marenah, fondly called Julakay, yesterday, appeared before Senior Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Banjul Magistrates Court, on charges of theft involving more than D13.5 million allegedly stolen from Julakay Construction and Engineering Company. Mr Marenah has denied all charges.

Mr Marenah, who was earlier on arrested and detained by State security agents, has been granted bail to the sum of D500,000, which could be substituted by a landed property of equivalent value. As part of the bail condition, the accused was also resquested to present two Gambian sureties who must be genuinely employed.

The case took off before a crowded courtroom, where the police prosecutor, Inspector Touray, and the defence counsel, Lamin Camara, announced their respective capacities in trial.

At the court, Defence Counsel Camara argued that the alleged charges against his client are bailable offences. He backed his submission by refering to Sections 252 and 245 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

He told the court that the client is a shareholder and also the managing director of the said company.

"It is important to note that during the course of the investigation by the police, the accused was cooperative and complied with them," he advanced.

Charges
Mr Marenah was charged on three counts of stealing, contrary to Section 245(1), which is punishable under Section 252 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Cap 10, Volume III, Laws of The Gambia.

According to the prosecution, the accused person in December 2003, at the Arab Gambia Islamic Bank (AGIB), Banjul, stole the sum of D13,587,782.41, being the property of Julakay Construction and Engineering Company Limited.

On count one, the accused, in January 2006, in Banjul, and in diverse places, stole an L200 Mitsubishi vehicle bearing registration number BJL 4695B valued at D600,000, being the property of Julakay Company.

On count two, the accused on 18th January 2006 at the said company in Kanifing Municipality, prepared a document dated 18th January 2006, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, which he knew to be false or did not believe to be true.

On count three, the accused, on 18th January 2008 at the said company in the Kanifing Municipality, knowingly and fraudulently presented a false document dated 18th January 2006 to the licensing authority with the intention that it would be acted upon as genuine.  

The case was later adjourned to July 31.