By Mamadou Dem
Two men were on Friday 10th February remanded in custody after their arraignment at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court charged in relation to the disappearance of Ma- Hawa Cham erstwhile National Assembly Member and Sulayman Ndow.
The two accused Bubacarr Jarju 54 and Suwandi Camara 52 are charged with three counts ranging from kidnapping or abducting in order to murder, obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to the laws of The Gambia. They pleaded not guilty as charged.
Police Prosecutor Sub- Inspector Abdoulie Bojang who appeared for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) applied under section 62 of the Criminal Code for the matter to be transferred to the competent court for trial.
Responding to the prosecutions application, the presiding Magistrate Isatou Janneh-Njie intimated that the lower court has the jurisdiction to try the case but the prosecutor submitted that the application was based on conveniences. Consequently, the trial Magistrate upheld the application and transferred the matter to the high court.
The court further ordered the accused persons to be remanded in Prison Custody pending their appearances at the high court and for their bail to be determined by the high court.
Prior to their last week appearance in court, both accused persons were held at the police headquarters in Banjul in connection with the disappearance of the said persons. Cham, a former Kiang East National Assembly Member and Sulayman Ndow who was said to be a businessman were abducted from Dakar and their whereabouts unknown.
