Northfield 'aide' charged

Marc Maurice Alfred Vanmaldegum, a dutch national, was yesterday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Lamin George of the Banjul Magistrates Court for helping a prisoner to escape, contrary to Section 109 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10 Volume 3. 

The Dutchman is accused of facilitating the escape of Mr Andrew Charles Northfield, managing director of the defunct Carnagie Minerals Company Ltd, The Gambia, who was facing 4 counts of criminal offenses at the High Court of The Gambia.  The charges against Andrew Charles Northfield range from economic crime to theft. However, Northfield fled from the country in September 2008.

The accused, Vanmaldegum, informed the court of his intention to consult his lawyer, Badou Conteh, who was absent.  "I don't know the charge against me, and I am not even sure if my lawyer is aware of my presence in court.  I was not given access to my lawyer. As such, I doubt if I can take a plea in his absence," he told the court.

The magistrate told the accused that he could take his plea even if his lawyer is absent as it is just a matter of procedure.  He also urged the police prosecutor to allow the accused to consult his lawyer on or before the date of the next session, 6th November, 2008.

The accused was sent to remand until his next appearance in court.

This development followed the application by the police prosecutor, Sub-Inspector Badjie, objecting to bail for the accused.