By Dawda M Jallow
Two men, Ebrima Jatta and Yusupha Kanteh yesterday appeared before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on charges of robbery, with the matter subsequently transferred to the High Court in Banjul for hearing.
The case, presided over by Magistrate Awa Manneh, saw Inspector Kebbeh appear on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), while the accused persons were not legally represented.
The prosecution charged the accused with robbery, contrary to Section 248(2)(e) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. According to the particulars of offence, Jatta and Kanteh allegedly, on 6 April 2026 at Bakoteh in the Kanifing Municipality, used actual violence against one Chinoso Nwary and made away with a bag of unknown value and a Samsung phone valued at D3,500 belonging to one Godwin Okonkwo.
During proceedings, Inspector Kebbeh informed the court that the offence was a capital matter, over which the Magistrates’ Court has no jurisdiction. He therefore applied for the case to be transferred to the High Court in line with Section 72(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, and further requested that the accused be remanded at Mile II Central Prison pending trial.
In her ruling, Magistrate Manneh agreed that the court lacked jurisdiction, describing the charge as a capital offence. She granted the prosecution’s application, ordered the transfer of the case to the Banjul High Court, and directed that the accused be remanded at Mile II Central Prison until their appearance before the higher court. No further order was made.
In a separate matter heard in the same court, one Malick Gaye was arraigned on a charge of obtaining money by false pretence under Section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
Sub-Inspector E. Fatty told the court that Gaye, in June 2024 at Bakau Newtown, allegedly obtained goods valued at D632,000 from Ramou Njie under the pretence of selling them on her behalf, a representation the prosecution says was false.
Gaye denied the allegation, telling the court that the transaction was a business arrangement and not fraudulent.
The prosecution applied for an adjournment to call witnesses and did not oppose bail, noting that the offence is bailable.
Magistrate Manneh granted bail in the sum of D700,000 with three Gambian sureties. The court ordered that the sureties swear to affidavits of means, provide valid identification, residential addresses, and contact details to be verified by GSM operators. They were also warned that they would be held responsible should the accused abscond.
The matter was adjourned to 13 May 2026 for continuation of the prosecution’s case.
