By Yankuba Jallow
Ismaila Ndong, an adult male Gambian, who has been charged with raping and robbing five women on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges proffered against him by prosecutors.
Ndong is the alleged taxi driver who was engaged in raping and robbing women within Kanifing Municipality and beyond.
On count one, he was charged with rape contrary to section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act, 2013. According to the particulars of offence, Ismaila Ndong, on or about 4th December 2019 in Bakau intentionally and under coercive circumstance engaged in a sexual act with a victim (name withheld).
On the second count, Ndong was charged with robbery with violence contrary to section 272 of the Criminal Code and punishable under section 273 (2) of the Criminal Code. It was alleged that on the same day in Bakau, he put the same victim (name withheld) at a knife point and hit her on the face and forcefully took D12,9000, bottle of spray, Bluetooth speaker valued at D300, power bank, four mobile phones – Samsung Galaxy S6, iPhone 8 and two simple mobile phones valued at D10,000, D13,000 and D800 as well as a wig valued at D25,000.
Ndong was also charged with rape contrary to section 3 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2013. According to the particulars of the offence, on or about the 26th November 2019 in Bakau intentionally and under coercive circumstance engaged in a sexual act with a second victim (name withheld).
He was also charged with robbery contrary to section 272 of the Criminal Code. According to the particulars of the offence, Ismaila Ndong on or about the 26th November 2019 at Brufut put the second victim (name withheld), at a knife point, hit her on the face and forcefully took her Samsung A2 with Africell and Qcell numbers, D5000, brown hand bag containing D450, one finger ring and a bangle valued at D3500.
The young man was accused of robbery with violence. according to the particulars of the offence, on or about the 26th November 2019 at Traffic Light Kairaba Avenue slapped his third victim (name withheld). and forcefully took her iPhone 6 valued at D8000, a simple phone marked Techno at D500, wrist watch valued at D250, charger valued at D200, bangle valued at D700, ring valued at D100 and ear piece valued at D200.
He was also handed another charge of robbery with violence. According to the particulars of the offence, on or about the 26th November 2019 at Traffic Light Kairaba Avenue slapped his fourth victim (name withheld). and forcefully snatched her bag containing D39,000.
He is also charged with rape and according to particulars of the offence, on or about the 21st November 2019, in or around Busumbala Village, he intentionally and under coercive circumstance engaged in a sexual act with his fifth victim (name withheld)..
On the final charge, Ndong was charged with robbery with violence. According to the particulars of the offence: on or about the 21st November 2019 in or around Busumbala Village put his fifth victim (name withheld). at a knife point and forcefully took her Phone Hanor valued at D10,000, a bag containing D1,275, small silver ring, ear ring, ring, head ban and two pads.
The matter was adjourned to 17th June at 12:30, 18th June 12:30 and 22nd June at 10 am.
