By Wise Man, Our Chief Western Region Correspondent

A magistrate court in Brikama Monday, granted bail to the 89 residents of Makumbaya and Kerewan,  who were accused of setting ablaze Babylon village. The accused persons, who appeared weak and worried were granted bail in the sum of D10,000 with Gambian sureties. Presiding magistrate Edrissa Fafa MBai refuses to entertain a request made by the prosecution for the accused persons to be denied bail. Magistrate MBai overruled the prosecution and accordingly granted bail to the 89 accused persons.

Lawyer Amie Joof, a defense attorney for the accused persons had earlier asked the court to grant bail to her clients. She cites the potential  economic burdens that might befell the accused persons families if they are continually kept in jail, without the right to be granted bail. She said the accused persons were the breadwinners of their families and should be released on bail, pending the determination of the criminal action brought against them by the state.

Armed paramilitary officers escorted the accused persons in court. The court premises was filled to capacity. People were denied access to the court due to overcrowding. Court staff, journalists and lawyers were allowed to witness the proceedings.

In his testimony, Alkalo Lamin Jammeh explained how the accused persons physically assaulted him before  burning  his entire village. He says the accused persons were armed with cutlasses, guns and other deadly weapons at the time of the attack. Alkalo Jammeh said three cars were destroyed and that there was a substantial damage to public property and lives. He said many villagers were left injured, thanks to the incident. The problem he said centered on a land dispute, which the high court ruled on his favor. Hearing continues.