By Dawda M. Jallow
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday transferred a robbery case involving Muhammed Keita to the High Court, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
The case was presided over by Principal Magistrate Sallah M’bai.
Sergeant E. Camara charged Keita with robbery with violence, contrary to Section 248(2)(c) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
According to the prosecution, Keita allegedly robbed Muhammed Camara on or about 25 December 2025 in Bakoteh, Kanifing Municipality, forcibly taking cash amounting to 50,000 CFA (approximately D6,500) and a Techno Spark 20 mobile phone valued at D8,000, bringing the total value of stolen property to D13,500.
The prosecution applied under Section 721(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act to transfer the matter to the High Court due to the lower court’s lack of jurisdiction. It also invoked Section 228 of the Act to have the accused remanded at Mile II Central Prison pending further hearings.
In her ruling, Principal Magistrate M’bai noted that Section 248 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025 prescribed a punishment beyond the Magistrates’ Court’s jurisdiction. She granted the prosecution’s application, ordering the case be transferred to the High Court. The magistrate also ordered Keita to be remanded at Mile II Central Prison under Sections 72(2)(a) and (b) and 228 of the Criminal Procedure Act pending his appearance before the High Court.