The High Court in Banjul has granted Lang Balla Saho, former President of the Gambia Dock and Maritime Workers Union, and Muhammed Lewis bail of D16 million each in a conspiracy and theft case involving more than D15.6 million allegedly belonging to the Gambia Dock and Maritime Workers Union.
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh delivered the ruling on October 29, 2026, at the court’s Criminal Division. Each accused must provide a Gambian surety who owns landed property valued at at least D16 million before securing release.
The two men are charged with conspiracy and theft contrary to sections 368 and 245 of the Criminal Code. According to the ruling, the theft charge concerns D15,685,302 allegedly stolen from the union. The court described both offenses as bailable.
Applying for bail, defense counsel O. Jallow told the court that both accused were retired, headed their respective families and had dependants who relied on them for care, maintenance and welfare.
Jallow further submitted that investigations had concluded and that there was no reasonable likelihood of the accused interfering with investigators, prosecution witnesses or the administration of justice. He urged the court to grant bail on appropriate conditions.
Principal State Counsel A. Aduwumi-Aluko, representing the prosecution, submitted that granting or refusing bail was within the court’s discretion and urged the judge to exercise that discretion judicially and judiciously.
The accused also informed the court that the Fraud Squad had previously granted them police bail and that they remained on those terms when they appeared before the High Court.
In considering the application, Justice Jaiteh referred to sections 123 and 124 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025, addressing entitlement to bail and the court’s powers to impose conditions.
He emphasized that accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that bail secures attendance at trial and protects the administration of justice.
The judge also highlighted statutory provisions requiring bail conditions to reflect the circumstances of the case without being excessive or harsh, and prohibiting courts from withholding or withdrawing bail merely as punishment.
Justice Jaiteh found that the circumstances justified granting bail, subject to safeguards ensuring the accused remained available for trial and did not obstruct proceedings.
Under the order, each surety must deposit original title deeds or other legally acceptable ownership documents with the Principal Registrar of the High Court. They must also submit a valuation report confirming the property meets the required value.
The registrar must verify the authenticity and sufficiency of the security before approving the recognizance and authorizing release. Each accused and his surety must execute the required undertaking.
Both men must attend every scheduled hearing until the case is determined, including judgment, unless the court excuses them. They must provide current residential addresses and reliable contact details, and report any changes promptly in writing.
The court prohibited them from threatening, intimidating, influencing, or otherwise improperly interfering with prosecution witnesses or anyone connected with the proceedings. They must also refrain from concealing, destroying or tampering with relevant evidence.
Neither accused may leave The Gambia without prior court permission. Any application to travel must state the purpose and intended duration of the journey.
Justice Jaiteh revoked the earlier police bail, replacing it with the High Court’s conditions. Any breach could lead to variation or revocation of bail, subject to the law and the court’s determination.
Either accused who fails to satisfy the conditions must remain in lawful custody until compliance. The ruling makes release dependent on the surety’s approval, verification of the property, and execution of the recognizance. It determines the bail application; the allegations against both men remain to be decided at trial.
