By Isatou Sarr
Ousainou Faal, an employee of Reliance Financial Services Tuesday appeared before Magistrate K. Baldeh of Brusubi Magistrates’ Court, charged with stealing.
He is charged with stealing by a clerk or servant an offence contrary to Section 258 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01, Volume 3, Laws of The Gambia 2009.
According to the charge sheet, Faal is accused of stealing D1,916,436.00 in 2024 while serving as a credit officer at Reliance’s Brusubi Branch in West Coast Region. The stolen funds were alleged to be the property of the financial institution.
The accused, Faal pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him in the Wollof language, which he confirmed he understood.
During the proceedings, the defence team requested full disclosure of all documents they intend to rely on. In response, the prosecution acknowledged the request but stated that the case file was extensive and included fraud investigation reports from the financial bureau. They also noted that the defence would need to cover the cost of photocopying the documents.
The defence lawyer further urged the court to consider reasonable bail conditions and requested that the terms of the earlier police bail be maintained.
Magistrate Baldeh granted conditional bail to the accused, requiring the presentation of a title deed for a leasehold property within the court’s jurisdiction, equivalent in value to the alleged stolen amount.
The matter has been adjourned to 10th September at 11:30 a.m. for further proceedings.
Deputy Commissioner A. Manga appeared for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), while Counsels Fakebba Darboe and L. Sanyang represented the accused.