By: Dawda M. Jallow
Two men accused of forging national documents in an alleged attempt to obtain a voter registration card have pleaded not guilty before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Sheriff Jallow and Muhammed Baldeh appeared before Magistrate Awa Manneh on Monday on charges of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor and forgery.
The prosecution, led by Sub-Inspector E. Fatty on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, alleged that the accused conspired on 16 May 2026 in Kanifing to commit forgery.
According to the charge sheet, the two men allegedly forged a birth certificate and a voter’s card with the intention of fraudulently obtaining a voter registration card without lawful authority.
The charges were read and explained to the accused in a language they understood, after which both entered pleas of not guilty.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for an adjournment to enable it to secure its first witness for the commencement of the trial. Sub-Inspector Fatty informed the court that the prosecution had no objection to bail, noting that the offences charged are bailable.
Magistrate Manneh subsequently granted bail to each accused person in the sum of D50,000 with two Gambian sureties.
The court ordered the sureties to deposit valid national identity cards with the court registrar, swear affidavits of means and undertake to ensure the attendance of the accused throughout the proceedings.
The magistrate further warned that the sureties would be held accountable should either accused person fail to appear before the court.
The case was adjourned until 23 June 2026 for the prosecution to open its case.