Briton Sues Husband for Bigamy
Monday 11th February 2008

By Abdoulie Nyockeh & Fatou Dibba

In one of the rare cases in our country’s local courts, a British national will be tried by a Magistrates’ court in Western Region for marrying two wives.

Steve Bailey Baughan had been sued by his British wife for marrying a local woman in the coastal village of Gunjur, south-west Gambia.

Lorraine Bailey Baughan alleged that she was lawfully married to Steve when he contracted a marriage with a girl in Gunjur.

Steve will reappear before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court later tomorrow for trial proceedings to begin.

Meanwhile, defense counsel Borry Touray told the court that Mrs. Bailey would like to, through him, seek the withdrawal of the matter, as she was no longer passionate about it. But Inspector Saine, prosecuting, insisted that the complainant had never informed him of anything of that nature and the case must, therefore, continue.

It will be recalled that the matter was first heard at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court but subsequently transferred to Brikama because of a lack of jurisdiction.