Mr Omar Faye, the village headman of Busura and twelve others will face trial for illegal logging at Kombo Central district tribunal; The Daily News has been reliably informed.

The rest of the suspects are: Mr Amadou Jadama, Momodou Jallow, Babucarr Fatty, Phillip Malou, Lamin Sanneh, Alfusainey Jallow, Abdoulie Trawally, Harry Ndekky, Abino Malou, Alieu Bah, Saikou Jobe and Abdoulie Jadama.

With the exception of the suspected mastermind Amadou Jadama, who was released on bail on Sunday after spending a night, the rest of the suspects were released the same day of their arrest after spending about 12 hours at Brikama police.

It is alleged that, under the leadership of Mr Amadou Jadama, who was refused license by forestry officials, the men paved their way through dark cloud at night to vandalise the forest in Busura village after bribing the village Alkalo, Mr Omar Faye.

They are alleged to have used two vehicles with registration numbers URD 2144D, a four -passenger taxi and BJL 8457, a Mercedes Benz truck to transport the illegal logged timbers. The vehicles were impounded by the police in Brikama.

The arrest of the men came at a time when Gambia is scaling up campaign against illegal logging in the wake of depleting forest cover. 

The date for the commencement of the trial is yet to be announced.