By Dawda M Jallow
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday granted bail to a man charged with threatening violence after he pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Abdoulie Sonko appeared before Magistrate F.J. Camara on a charge of threatening violence, contrary to Section 77(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
The prosecution alleged that on 12 June 2026 at Kanifing East in the Kanifing Municipality, Sonko willfully and unlawfully threatened to kill Momodou Jallow with a knife with the intent to intimidate or cause alarm.
The accused denied the charge when it was read and explained to him in a language he understood.
Opposing bail, prosecuting officer Inspector Cherno Baba Jallow, appearing for the Inspector General of Police, described the accused as a habitual offender, arguing that the police had received several complaints from residents of Kanifing Estate alleging that Sonko had repeatedly threatened members of the public.
The prosecutor, relying on Section 126 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2025, submitted that the court should consider the accused’s record in determining whether to grant bail.
He further told the court that the accused was already on police bail in connection with another alleged offence involving threats against the Imam of Kanifing Estate with a knife, and alleged that on the morning of the present incident Sonko again threatened to kill Momodou Jallow with a knife.
Inspector Jallow argued that releasing the accused on bail could expose members of the public to similar alleged offences and urged the court to refuse the application.
In response, Sonko maintained his innocence and appealed to the court to grant him bail, stating that he had not committed the offence.
In her ruling, Magistrate Camara admitted the accused to bail in the sum of D100,000 with two Gambian sureties aged over 30 years.
The court ordered the sureties to deposit valid national identity cards and swear affidavits of means. The Magistrate further ruled that the sureties would be held responsible if the accused absconded and must ensure his attendance throughout the trial.
The case was adjourned to 21 July 2026 for the prosecution to open its case.