It would be recalled that Arona Tine on 19 January 2024 at Westfield stabbed one Fatoumatta Kargbo in the chest with a knife which resulted in her death.
The case was first mentioned at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court and later transferred to the High Court due to the lower court’s lack of jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Appearing for the state, Counsel F. Drammeh informed the court that they had filed the bill of indictment of the accused. He was charged with murder contrary to Section 187 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The presiding Judge told the accused that he had been charged properly before the court with a very serious crime, adding that the court could not proceed without a legal representation.
Asked if he could pay the service of a lawyer, the accused told the court that he was talking to one lawyer, and Justice Jaiteh stated that if he could not afford it, the state could provide a legal representative.
Justice Jaiteh further told the accused that he would be served with the information (Bill of Indictment) so he could extend it to his lawyer.
However, the presiding judge Justice Jaiteh told the court that if the accused could not secure a lawyer, he should bring back the information so the court would give necessary order for the state to provide a lawyer “because the case cannot continue without a lawyer”.
Asked how much time he needed to return to the court with his decision surrounding a lawyer or legal representative, the accused gave one week to get back to the court.
The case was then adjourned until 26 March 2024.
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