By: Kemo Kanyi
A certain Dawda Tamba, a taxi driver, appeared before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Monday for rape and stealing charges.
Prosecutors charged Dawda with an alleged offence of rape contrary to section 3(1)(a) (2)(b)(c) of the Sexual Offences Act(2013).
It’s alleged that Dawda on or about 22 September 2024, at Penyem village, West Coast Region, had intentionally under a coercive circumstance, engaged into a sexual act to wit: rape (name withheld).
He was also alleged to have stolen a pink bag valued at D1,500.00, an IPhone X valued at D15,000.00, an IPhone14plus valued at D48,000.00, ear pods valued at D8,000.00 and cash of D20,000.00 from his alleged rape victim. The total sum involved, according to the prosecution, amounts to D92,500.00.
The accused pleaded not guilty on both counts of rape and stealing.
DPS Buteh Sawaneh, prosecuting, objected to a bail for the accused person due to the serious nature of the offences committed and an ongoing investigation. He further stated that the police “are still receiving similar complaints connected with the accused person”.
“If he is granted bail, he might tamper with the investigation,” ASP Sawaneh told the court. He went on to say: “The medical condition of the victim is still not stable. I urge the indulgence of this honourable court to remand the accused at the Mile II central prisons, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
When asked by the court about his reaction, the accused person did not object to the application made by the prosecution.
In her ruling on the prosecution’s application, Principal magistrate Isatou O. Njie ordered the remand of the accused at Mile II Central Prisons until a further order from the court.
The matter was then adjourned to 22 October 2024.
