Kasim Fadera, a staunch supporter of the United Democratic Party who has been remanded for insulting six district chiefs (Seyfolu), has been granted bail on Thursday by the Mansakonko Magistrate Court.
Fadera was on Monday 12th November arraigned before the Mansakonko on two counts under the Criminal Code by the IGP, one being breach of peace.
Even though he was charged with bailable offence, the prosecution urged the court not to grant the accused bail for fear of his own personal safety.
The police said they received intelligence that there were some youth in Jarra who wanted to attack him for him purportedly insulting six Seyfolus.
He was remanded in custody at the Mansakonko police station pending the bail decision on Tuesday when the court denied him bail and remanded him in custody at the Janjanburreh prisons.
His defence lawyer Abdoulie Fatty filed a bail application before the court on Thursday 15th November citing the accused’s serious medical condition as reason for the court to review its earlier bail order.
Lawyer Fatty told the court that the accused’s severe medical history and condition was not revealed to the court as the accused was unrepresented.
He also told the court that the claim by the police that there was a risk to the safety of the accused was not backed by any evidence that give it any weight.
He urged the court to release the accused on bail as his condition requires urgent medical condition and that prison is not equipped to offer adequate and timely treatment in case he suffers an attack whilst in custody.
The police prosecutor M.D Sallah for the IGP said he had no objection to the bail application based on the accused’s medical condition. He however said that the police cannot guarantee the safety of the accused if released on bail.
The Magistrate Peter Che said that the health condition of the accused was a serious consideration and a fact that was not known to the court when his previous bail application was considered.
The Magistrate said the accused’s medical condition warranted granting him bail and released him on bail with two Gambian sureties.
He also ordered the police to station two PIU officers at the accused’s house around the clock to ensure his safety. Fadera has been reportedly arrested and jailed at former National Intelligence Agency, now State Intelligence Services, for supporting UDP.
Fadera reportedly released an audio accusing Jarra West’s chief Yahya Jarjusey for engineering his arrest. He also said chiefs under the former rulers have supported his abuse of the rights of citizens.