A forty-six year old labourer, Safraz Rafeek, of Lot 16 Jib Public Road, Essequibo, has been granted bail for allegedly setting his mother-in-law’s home at Jib on fire.
He was charged on January 6 with the offence of setting fire to the dwelling house of Tewatty Nandalall, of Jibb Housing Scheme.
The accused on Thursday, appeared virtually at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Esther Sam, where the charge was withdrawn and a new charge of Malicious Damage to Property was instituted and read to him. He was not required to plead to the charge.
The prosecutor then applied the Administration of Justice Act and the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In spite of the prosecutor’s objection, bail was granted in the sum of $3 million with the condition that he is to stay at least one hundred feet away from the victim.
The case will resume on February 8 at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court for statements.
