Magistrate cancels armed robbery suspect’s bail

A SENIOR magistrate has cancelled bail for a man charged with armed robbery after finding that he was granted freedom by the police and not higher courts.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar told Bulan Saku that armed robbery was a serious offence and only the National Court and Supreme Court had the power to grant bail.
“I noted that the accused is on a police bail for K2000 and I don’t know why an accused who has been alleged to commit a serious offence such as armed robbery is on police bail” Bidar said.
He said according to bail documents provided before the court, it was authorised by a superintendent administration police officer who did not have jurisdiction to do so.
The police and district court do not have the power to grant bail for suspects charged with armed robbery, Bidar said.
Police prosecutor Shellian Pius made a submission that the bail application be revoked and Saku remanded in custody.
Saku can apply for bail through the National Court and Supreme Court.
The court heard that Saku was in the company of four other men when they allegedly robbed Yummy Fried Chicken restaurant at Boroko in the National Capital District in August.
During the robbery, cash and other properties worth around K74,000 were taken.
Saku’s case will return to court on Nov 29.