When the case was called, counsel A. Gibba who appeared for the state, informed the court that they had amended their bill of indictment, and defence counsel O. Susso acknowledged receipt of the amended bill of indictment.
The accused Yugo Sowe was charged with five counts of attempted murder, assault causing grievous bodily harm, intentional harm, wounding, and domestic violence.
Justice Jaiteh read the five counts to the accused and it was translated to him in the Wollof language.
According to the particulars of offence on the charge of attempted murder, Gorgi Sowe (Yugo Sowe) tried to “cause the death” of his wife (name withheld) on 16 November 2023 in Brikama-Jalambang by hacking her with a cutlass, resulting in fatal injuries to her legs, arms, and other body parts.
On the second count, the accused was charged with grievous bodily harm to his wife on the same day and place by cutting her with a cutlass on various parts of her body.
The third count indicated that the accused intentionally harmed and attempted to disfigure and disable his wife through using a cutlass leading to fatal injuries on her body.
The fourth count was wounding, that he unlawfully inflicted wounds on his wife, cutting her with a cutlass, and the fifth count was domestic violence - that he domestically violated his wife by hacking her with a cutlass and caused grievous harm.
Counsel Susso called the court’s attention to count five of the charge, which indicated that “other parts of her body”, saying it had be clear in the indictment.
In response, counsel A. Gibba said there was nothing ambiguous in the indictment and should their witness appear to testify she would explain which part of the body indicated in the indictment.
Counsel A. Gibba then applied for the case to be adjourned for a shorter day to enable them to bring their witness, and the defence counsel O. Susso did not object to the adjournment.
The case was adjourned until May 11, 2024.
