Free National Movement (FNM) Senator John Bostwick was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt on Monday on a ammunition possession charge after he was arrested in the Grand Bahama International (GBIA) airport this past weekend.
The George Street resident was taken into custody on Saturday evening after authorities reportedly found 10 live rounds of .22 ammunition in his back pack.
The ammunition was spotted by airport officials as Mr. Bostwick’s bag was being scanned through the airport’s X-ray security system.
Mr. Bostwick who was headed to New Providence, reportedly admitted that the bag belonged to him.
The handcuffed 42-year-old senator walked into the court followed by his mother, former Attorney General Janet Bostwick, other family members, FNM Chairman Darron Cash and other party supporters.
HE was granted $9,000 bail with one surety and was told to report to the Central Police Station every Monday on or before 6:00 p.m.
Outside the magistrate’s court, the senator maintained his innocence before embracing his mother.
“I am not a criminal, again, I am not a criminal and I remain that born free nationalist and I will fight this,” he said.
Mr. Bostwick was represented by his father, former senator president, J. Henry Bostwick, Q.C.
The FNM Senator is expected back in court on May 27th for a fixture hearing.
Meantime in a brief press statement issued Sunday the FNM noted that the party is aware of the “troubling allegation.”
“The prayers of the party go out to the Bostwick Family during this distressing hour,” the release read.
“As a party which respects the rule of law, we confidently expect a thorough and professional police investigation and urge the public to allow due process to take its proper course.”
Meanwhile, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts, called the situation unfortunate and noted that he knows Mr. Bostwick and his family well.
Bostwick was appointed a senator last year following the resignation of Zhivargo Laing.
He is also the author of the “Bahamas 20/20 Vision,” a twenty-year national plan for the country.