By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Principal Magistrate Sallah Mba’I has passed an order for the five (5) young men accused of robbery to be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prisons.
The trial magistrate ordered Bubacarr Touray, EbrimaSarr, EbrimaKonateh, DembaJarju, and EdrisaCeesay to be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prisons.
The police charged the five with Conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 368 of the Criminal Code and robbery contrary to section 273(2) of the Criminal Code.
The prosecution alleged that on 17 June 2024 in Bakau, the 5 accused persons conspired among themselves and committed felony and robbery on count one.
On count two, the police alleged that the boys on the same day and place, forcefully robbed Ebrima Bai Nyass Bah and Sheikh Faye using a knife and black pepper powder. They allegedly took Eleven Thousand Dalasi (D11,000) in cash, one Techno Pop 7 Mobile Phone worth Six Thousand Dalasi (D6,000), and a PS4 valued at Six Thousand Dalasi (D6,000).
BubacarrTouray, EbrimaKonateh, and EdrisaCeesay pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy. The other two accused persons Ebrima Sarr and DembaJarju denied the charge. They all pleaded not guilty to the charge of robbery.
One of the two accused persons who denied count one said he only held a knife, but he did not take anything from the victims. The other said he was at the robbery scene but he did not take anything from the victims. Demba Jarju, the fourth accused admitted that he was the one who drove them to the scene and drove them back after the operation. The fifth accused pleaded not guilty.
Police prosecutor Inspector Baba Jallow representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) applied for the accused persons to be remanded in the state central prison pending the hearing of the case.
Defence Counsel Dibba opposed the remand application, highlighting that the accused had been in detention since their arrest on the 17th of June 2024 without formal charges until their arraignment in court. He argued that their prolonged detention violated their rights which the court has to consider in hearing the bail application.
Principal Magistrate SallahMbai ordered that the accused be held in Mile Central Prison until the bail application is heard. The case was adjourned to the 4th of July 2024.
