By: Dawda M. Jallow
A police officer on Wednesday testified before Kanifing Magistrates’ Court in the ongoing trial of Salieu Gaye, who was accused of opening fire at a nightclub in Fajara and wounding a man.
Mr. Gaye faces charges of attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm in connection with the alleged shooting of Muhammed Buhary Mendy at the Propaganda Envy Night Club on 19 January 2026.
The case, presided over by Magistrate Awa Manneh, resumed with testimony from Police Constable Samba J. Jallow of the Criminal Investigation Department at Kairaba Police Station, who appeared as the prosecution’s second witness.
Before the testimony, defence counsel B. Badjie raised concerns about the accused being kept in handcuffs during the proceedings and urged the court to consider removing the restraints. Inspector Jallow, representing the Inspector General of Police, defended the measure on security grounds, citing previous attacks on officers and attempts by detainees to escape.
The defence further argued that the accused had not been served with the charge sheet and witness statements, which they said hindered the preparation of the defence. The court subsequently directed the prosecution to provide all necessary documents before the next hearing.
In his testimony, the police witness told the court that officers received a report on the day of the incident that the victim had been shot and taken to the hospital. Investigators later visited the scene in Fajara, where three bullet cartridges were recovered.
He added that witnesses were interviewed and a taxi driver suspected of transporting the alleged shooter was arrested. According to investigators, the driver stated that he picked up the accused and another individual at the Envy premises and dropped them at Legacy Apartment Junction, near the accused’s grandmother’s residence.
Following the testimony, the defence applied for bail, arguing that the victim had been discharged from hospital and that the offence was bailable.
The prosecution opposed the application, noting that the firearm had been sent for forensic analysis and that the report was still pending. They also expressed concern that the accused did not permanently reside in The Gambia and could fail to appear for trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Manneh granted bail in the sum of D600,000 or two Gambian sureties with landed property of equal value within the Greater Banjul Area. The accused was also ordered to surrender his passport and other travel documents pending the hearing.
The case was adjourned to 16 February for continuation.