The trial of Salieu Gaye, the man accused of the January 19th shooting at Fajara commenced before Magistrate A. Manneh.
The proceedings began with an argument regarding the disclosure of the documents prosecution intended to rely on as evidence. Defence Counsel B. Badjie moved for the court to compel the prosecution to hand over all investigative documents.
“We submit that the accused person wasn’t given the charge sheet, witness statements, or any materials to prepare for his defence,” Counsel Badjie argued, citing Section 19 of the Constitution. Counsel Badjie further stated that the accused must not be ambushed by the prosecution.
While Inspector Baba Jallow, representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), stated the prosecution is willing to provide all documents though stated that the defence will cover the costs.
Magistrate Manneh sided with the defence. She ruled that the prosecution must furnish all relevant documents before the next sitting to ensure a fair trial.
The prosecution then called its first witness (PW1), Samba J. Sowe, an Inspector attached to the Kairaba Police Station CID unit. Inspector Samba Sowe provided the court with a consecutive account of the investigation.
He testified that at approximately 7:00 AM on January 19th, a complainant named Sulayman Bidew reported that his friend, Muhammed Buhari Mendy, had been shot at Fajara near Envy night.
He stated that at the time police arrived, the victim had been evacuated to Kanifing General Hospital. A search of the crime scene was conducted and three bullet cartridges were found.
Inspector Sowe testified that a taxi driver, Ansumana Bojang, was identified and arrested after admitting he drove the accused and a friend, Abdou Faal, from the scene to the Legacy Apartment.
Following the testimony, Counsel Badjie applied for bail. He emphasised that the victim had been discharged from the hospital and that the charges of attempted murder and firearm possession are bailable under the law. Counsel Badjie argued that the prosecution’s claim that the accused is a flight risk is a misconception and that reliable sureties were ready to stand for him.
Inspector Jallow countered by stressing the gravity of the incident and the pending forensic analysis of the pistol by the National Army. He argued that the accused’s non-resident status. He urged the court to prioritise the victim’s safety.
In her balanced ruling, Magistrate Manneh acknowledged the presumption of innocence under Section 24 of the Evidence Act and exercising her discretion under Section 126 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2025, granted Salieu Gaye bail to the tune of 600,000 Dalasis, title deed of the equivalent amount or above, two Gambian sureties whom must swear an affidavit of means and surrender their National Identity Cards and the accused must deposit his passport with the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without court permission.
The case adjourned to February 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM for the continuation of the trial.
