Four residents of the village of Makumbaya in the Kombo North, Western Region, namely Alagie Kujabi, Besenty Gomez, Yankuba Jammeh and Babucarr Mendy were recently arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates' Court on charges of giving false information to a public officer, and for criminal trespass.
Before taking their pleas, defence counsel Lawyer Mboge informed the court that he has no problem with respect to count one that is the charge of giving false information but he was objecting to count two, that is the charge of criminal trespass.
He argued that the alleged offence was committed in Makumbaya village, which falls within the jurisdiction of Western Region, and that the Banjul Magistrates’ Court lacks the jurisdiction to try the accused persons on that count.
Magistrate Emmanuel Nkea granted the accused persons court bail in sum of D100, 000 each with one Gambian surety.
The case was adjourned to 19 January 2010.
