By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Three men accused of orchestrating a series of armed robberies in Kiang Keneba have pleaded not guilty to a string of criminal charges, including robbery, conspiracy, and theft, during their first appearance before Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh at the High Court in Banjul.
The accused — Momodou Lamin Bah, Alagie Kah, and Biram Bah — are facing a seven-count indictment stemming from the alleged armed robbery of multiple institutions on February 23, 2024. According to the bill of indictment filed by state prosecutors, the attacks targeted the Medical Research Council (MRC), MSJ Forex Bureau, and Yonna Forex Bureau.
Prosecutors allege that the trio conspired to commit the robberies, acting in coordination to execute a plan that involved breaking into business premises and forcibly taking cash and property while armed with offensive weapons.
The indictment includes three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Felony, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code. The State alleges that the men conspired to rob the MRC of a Toyota Land Cruiser (registration number MRC257), and separately conspired to rob the two forex bureaus of cash and property.
They are also charged with three counts of Robbery, contrary to Section 273(2) of the Criminal Code. The charges state that the accused, while armed, robbed the MRC of the Toyota Land Cruiser, stole a cash safe containing D38,300.00 from Yonna Forex Bureau, and took a cash safe with D86,666.00 from MSJ Forex Bureau.
An additional charge of Stealing, contrary to Section 252 and punishable under Section 255 of the Criminal Code, alleges the men stole two hammers — one valued at D3,000.00 and the other at D2,000.00 — belonging to Muhammed Lamin Ceesay.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to every charge.
The prosecution has indicated it will call twelve witnesses, including law enforcement officials, employees of the affected institutions, and private citizens. Among them are Lamin Danso, Saikou Sanyang, Buba Jabang, Ebrima Jallow, Alieu Jammeh, Lamin Ceesay, Alasan Badjie, Muhammed Lamin Ceesay, Edrisa Fadera, Detective Sergeant Ebrima Jammeh, Detective Sergeant Mustapha Jawo, and Police Detective Serign Bahoum.
In support of its case, the State plans to tender a series of exhibits, including cautionary and voluntary statements from the accused, witness statements, the white Toyota Land Cruiser (MRC257), two hammers believed to be used in the robbery, seven geofencing printouts, two cash safes allegedly taken from the forex bureaus, and D36,000 in cash.
The case has drawn national attention, given the scale of the alleged heist and the coordination it appears to have involved.
The trial is expected to resume in the coming weeks, with witness testimony and cross-examinations likely to dominate the next phase of proceedings.
