: By: Isatou Sarr
The Brikama Magistrates’ Court has struck out two separate criminal cases and discharged the accused persons, citing repeated delays and lack of diligence on the part of the prosecution.
Magistrate Kanjura B. Sambou delivered the rulings on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) failed to proceed with the matters despite multiple adjournments granted to call witnesses.
In the first case, the IGP had charged Mamadi Camara with “punishment for malicious injuries in general,” contrary to Section 290 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. The charge stemmed from an incident allegedly committed on 10 December 2025 in Bakary Sambuya, West Coast Region, where Camara was accused of willfully damaging a television valued at D6,000 belonging to Alagie Camara, as well as a laptop owned by Kumba Touray.
Camara pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him. The prosecution subsequently sought several adjournments to enable them to call their first witness (PW1), all of which were granted by the court. He was granted bail in the sum of D20,000 with one Gambian surety required to deposit a valid national ID and show proof of means.
However, when the case came up again on 14 April 2026, the prosecution once more applied for an adjournment on the same grounds.
In his ruling, Magistrate Sambou noted that the case had been before the court since 24 December 2025 without any substantive progress.
He further observed that all adjournments were at the instance of the prosecution, adding that it was particularly concerning that the accused had been left in prolonged uncertainty.
The court consequently refused the application for adjournment and struck out the case for want of diligence, ordering that Mamadi Camara be discharged.
In a similar development, the court also struck out a second case involving 18-year-old Malick Kah, who had been charged with “stealing from a person,” contrary to Section 231 (a) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
According to the charge sheet, Kah allegedly committed the offence on or about 17 November 2025 in Brikama Town, Kombo Central District, where he was accused of stealing a black bag containing D10,000 in cash and a Poco mobile phone valued at D26,000, bringing the total value to D36,000.
The items were said to belong to one Rubbie Baldeh. Kah denied the charge and was granted bail in the sum of D30,000 with one Gambian surety under similar conditions. Like the previous case, the prosecution repeatedly sought adjournments to call their witness.
When the matter was called on the same date, the prosecution again requested an adjournment.
The court, however, declined the request, pointing to the pattern of delays.
Magistrate Sambou ruled that the case be struck out for want of diligent prosecution and ordered the discharge of the accused.