By Nicholas Bass
One Modou Lamin Keita has denied a charge of rape and is expected to appear at the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.
Keita on Wednesday appeared at the Brikama Magistyrates’ Court alongside one Modou Badjie on two-count charges of conspiracy and robbery but when the chargesheet was read to them in a language they claimed to have understood, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution officer Corporal 4370 Ebrima Jallow, relying on Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), applied tothe presiding magistrate to transfer the case to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.
Prosecutor Jallow said the lower court lacks the jurisdiction to try such a case, noting that the charge of robbery with violence carries life imprisonment.
Presiding, Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbai then granted prosecutor Jallow’s application and ordered the remand of the accused persons.
”I urge this honorable court to grant my application and remand Modou Lamin Keita and Modou Badjie, pending the hearing of the case at the High Court,” he submitted.
According to the particulars of the offenses, Modou Lamin Keita and Modou Badjie on 24 September 2023, at Badjie Estate in Banjulinding in the West Coast Region of the Republic of The Gambia, conspired among themselves to commit a felony and robbery.
The accused were also alleged to have stolen a mobile phone marked Sony Xperia worth D8,000, a simple mobile phone marked Afri phone valued at D700, all properties of one Fatoumatta Sowe and Modou Lamin Sillah.
Meanwhile, Modou Lamin was also accused of raping a lady (name withheld) at the crime scene.
