The accused conspired among themselves to commit a felony to wit: robbery, while armed with weapons (cutlasses and knives) and robbed United Vegetable Oil Company the sum of four hundred thousand dalasis (GMD400,000) in trust of Sadivi Hauya a security guard.
The accused, disabling to commit a felony or misdemeanor, rendered Sadivi Hauya incapable of resisting and facilitating a joint robbery at the United Vegetable Oil Company, and suffocated the said Sadivi Hauya by tying his legs, hands, and mouth.
Before the accused took their pleas, state counsel Mballow informed the court that the lawyer for the 3rd accused was absent. He applied, however, the plea to be taken relying on Section 240 (5) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
However, 3rd accused, Ansumana Jarjue, argued that his lawyer's absence must have been because he was not aware of the proceeding today.
State counsel Mballow stated that counsels must ensure that they follow their cases diligently and not wait to be served with notices as “this is not a civil case; this is a criminal case”.
The clerk told the court that he had informed the counsel for the 3rd accused about the hearing.
Subsequently, the court decided that the pleas of the accused be taken.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to all three counts and the State counsel applied for an adjournment for them to prepare their first witness.
The case was adjourned until 5 May 2025.
