By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Bakary Saidyba, a 72-year-old man was on Tuesday arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping an 8-year-old.
CIP Inne Jallow represented the Inspector General of Police in the case. The charge against the elderly man was rape contrary to Section (3) (2) (b) of the Sexual Offences Act, which carries a life imprisonment sentence.
According to the particulars of the offence, the police alleged that Bakary Saidyba in April 2024 at Senegambia intentionally and unlawfully engaged in a sexual intercourse with an eight-year-old girl (named withheld).
Prosecutor Jallow informed the court that the charge is a capital offence, punishable by life imprisonment if convicted and therefore, the magistrate court lacks the power to try the case. She made an application for the case to be transferred to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court relying on Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). Jallow further requested that the accused person be kept in Mile Central Prison relying on Section 208(A) of the Criminal Procedure Code until he appears before the High Court.
Presiding Magistrate Sallah Mbye approved the application and transferred the case and remanded the accused person pending his appearance before the high court.
