Dutchman bailed

Badou Conteh, defence counsel for Marc Maurice Alfred Vanmaldegum, has confirmed to the Daily Observer that his client has finally been released on bail after meeting the bail conditions imposed by the High Court in Banjul.

The Holland national is standing trial for aiding the escape of Mr Andrew Charles Northfield, a British national and managing director (MD) of the now defunct Carnegie Minerals Company, The Gambia Ltd.

Andrew Charles Northfield, was on bail and standing trial on four criminal counts ranging from economic crime to theft at the High Court in Banjul before fleeing from the country in September 2008.

Vanmaldegum had been ordered by the High Court, presided over by Justice Wowo, to deposit D3 Million with the State and provide two landed properties each valued at D2 Million, located within the Greater Banjul Area. He was also ordered to report to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on every Friday and to surrender his passport to the state. His photographs are to be pasted at all main entry points throughout the length and breadth of The Gambia.

When the case resumed last Friday before Senior Magistrate Lamin George of the Banjul Magistrates Court, Sub-Inspector Badjie applied for an adjournment on the ground that the case file has been sent to the Attorney General Chambers for legal advice.

His application was granted and the case was adjourned to 19th November after no objection was raised by the defence counsel.