Magistrate Sallah Mbaye also transferred the case to the High Court in Banjul as the magistrate court lacks jurisdiction to proceed with the case.
The 36 year-old Senegalese is charged with murder, contrary to section 187 and punishable under Section 188 of the Criminal Procedure Court (CPC).
The particulars of offence stated that on 12 January 2024 at HM Bureau de change at Westfield, within the Kanifing Municipality, Arona Tine, with malice aforethought caused the death of Fatoumata Kargbo by stabbing her in the chest with a Knife thereby committing an offence.
The charge-sheet was read and interpreted to the accused person in Wolof.
When the case was brought before Magistrate Sallah-Mbaye of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, police prosecutor, Supt. Lamin Jammeh announced his appearance for the Inspector General of Police, and told the court that: “If the accused person is found guilty, he could face life imprisonment or even death."
Prosecutor Jammeh urged the court to transfer the said case to the High Court in Banjul while citing Section 62 of the CPC that the magistrate court lacked the jurisdiction to continue with the matter.
He also relied on Section 208A of the CPC with a view for the accused to be remanded in Mile 2 Central Prison pending his appearance at the High Court.
Meanwhile, the accused (Arona Tine) also informed the court that “he was only informed about his arraignment in court on Monday morning, thus he also wished to hire a lawyer.”
In her ruling, Magistrate Sallah Mbaye considered the application sought by the prosecution, saying: “Her court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case. She then transferred the case to the High Court in Banjul and also ordered that the accused person be remanded at the Mile Two Prison.”
