At least 88 men from the villages of Lamin, Makumbaya, Kerewan and Mandinaring in Kombo North, were yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Edrisa Mbai' of the Brikama Magistrate Court, charged with arson, going armed in public and conspiracy to commit felony in Babylon Village, Kombo North.

According to the statement and the particulars of the offence on count one, the 88 accused persons on March 30, 2008, went to Babylon Village, Kombo North and wilfully and unlawfully set fire on many houses in the village.

Count two stated that the 88 accused persons on the same day were unlawfully seen misbehaving in Babylon village armed with cutlasses, daggers, hammers, knives, pick axes and catridges for SB guns.

According to count three, the accused persons on the same time, conspired together to commit felony.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three count charges preferred against them.Soon after the accused took their plea, the police prosecutor, ASP Juldeh Camara, applied for an adjourment of the case to enable the prosecution to bring their witnesses. He also applied to the court to remand all the accused persons. ASP Camara said "your worship, the accused are facing a very serious charge of arson and it happened in a village very close to where the accused persons are living . If they are granted bail, they may tamper with our investigations".

In his ruling, Magistrate Mbai' said that in view of the nature of the case, even though the charges are bailable , " I am of the believe that the accused should be remanded at Mile Two. No matter what , people should not take the law into their own hands" Magistrate Mbai' stressed.

As early as 7.30 am the complex of the Brikama magistrate court was full of onlookers waiting for the arrival of the accused persons.