By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
TWO people accused of trying to use forged Bahamian citizenship documents that prosecutors say originated overseas were granted bail yesterday amid warnings of national security risks as the country approaches an election.
Dorrel Leo Smith, a man in his fifties, and Sicqua Lewis, 27, appeared before Magistrate Uel Johnson on nine criminal charges linked to alleged falsified public records and forged Bahamian documents. The pair are accused of acting together with others on February 5 in Grand Bahama.
Prosecutors allege the pair falsified three Bahamian certificates of naturalisation in the names of Fritzroy Selabi, Carmeta Selabi and Jornell Selabi, knowing the documents were not genuine. They are also accused of having six forged Bahamian passport applications in the same names, on the same date, at the same location.
Corporal 3700 Kenton Smith and Assistant Superintendent Veron Rolle appeared for the prosecution. Prosecutor Smith told the court the offences carry penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and said there was uncertainty over whether the Magistrate’s Court could grant bail.
“This offence falls in the Third Schedule as a Supreme Court matter,” he said, asking that the issue of bail be deferred to the Supreme Court.
The prosecutor also informed the court that Smith is currently on bail in relation to a previous matter.
Defence attorney Brian Hanna urged the court to grant bail, telling the magistrate that his client “has lived in The Bahamas all his life.” He said both accused are self-employed in Freeport and posed no flight risk.
“There is nothing to suggest that they will leave the country,” he said.
Mr Hanna argued that the charges are forgery offences and that the Magistrate’s Court has the authority to grant bail in such cases.
ASP Rolle warned the court that the matter raised serious national security concerns, particularly given an approaching election.
“These are Bahamian documents that were allegedly fraudulent made that people can use to vote,” he argued. “These are documents for citizenship.”
When questioned by the magistrate about the source of the alleged forgeries, Prosecutor Rolle said the instrument originated internationally, from New York City.
Magistrate Johnson ruled that the Magistrate’s Court does have discretion to grant bail. Prosecutor Smith then asked for strict conditions, including substantial sureties and reporting requirements, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
Bail was set at $15,000 each with one or two sureties. The accused were ordered to report to the Northeastern Police Station by 6pm and to surrender their travel documents.
The matter was adjourned to June 15, 2026, for the service of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.
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