By: Dawda .M. Jallow
Sebasten Nicolai Reyer Van Der Meer, a Dutch national, was on Monday arraigned before Magistrate Thomas Touray of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on a charge of stealing materials valued at D133,001.
Prosecutor ASP Lamin Badjie, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), charged the accused with stealing contrary to Section 256(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 10.01, Volume 3, Revised Laws of The Gambia, 2009.
According to the prosecutor, the particulars of the offence allege that on or about 12 January 2025, at Kotu in the Kanifing Municipality, the accused stole the following items: two speakers with amplifiers and black cables valued at D14,000; two microphones valued at D20,000; five cords valued at D8,000; one white bread toaster; two grill platters (one big and one small); one juice presser; one big electric sliding machine; and other cooking utensils all valued at D20,000. Additional items include one projector beamer valued at D33,300; five plastic containers (sizes 4.5 and others) all valued at D3,330; and physical cash amounting to D34,371. The total value of the stolen items amounts to D133,001, all property belonging to Esther Maijer and Jan Mayer.The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecutor ASP Badjie requested an adjournment to enable him to secure his witnesses, and did not object to bail, noting that the offence is bailable and that the accused is a foreigner.
Defence Counsel Gloria M. Donkor applied for bail for the accused, citing his constitutional right to be granted bail.
In his ruling, Magistrate Touray granted bail in the sum of D250,000 with two Gambian sureties, who must deposit their national passports and swear to an affidavit of means. Defence Counsel requested that sureties be allowed to deposit ID cards instead of passports, arguing that the accused is unfamiliar with many Gambians as he has only been in the country for a few months. The court denied this request. The matter was adjourned to Tuesday, 24 June 2025, at 12:00 p.m. for hearing.
