Three Nigerian nationals accused of murdering one Ian Stokes, a British national, yesterday denied the charge preferred against them, when it was read to them at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.
When the case was called, a defence counsel from the Legal Aid Agency announced representation for the accused persons.
Counsel then informed the court that the 1st and 3rd accused persons said they wanted to hire their own lawyer.
However, the request was overruled by the court on the grounds that the accused persons did not have contact with their relatives, and the prison authority would not be able to call their relatives.
According to the particulars of offence, on 13 May 2012 at Bakoteh Junction Bar, the accused persons, Michael Ifunaya Churwbiken, Agbaze Ugochuku and Collins Chijoke, with malice afterthought, caused the death of one Ian Stokes, by stabbing him repeatedly on the neck, abdomen and left arm, and thereby committed an offence.
The case continues today.
