The indictment named only the first, second, and third accused persons, excluding the fourth accused, Omar Secka on robbery charges.
According to new indictment, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons: Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, Alfusainey Ousainou Jabarteh, respectively are charged with conspiracy to commit felony Contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code.
The particulars of offence indicated that the trio on 31 December 2024 at United Vegetable Oil Company located at Saro Denton Bridge agreed to commit an offence to wit; robbery thereby committed an offence.
On the second count, the trio was charged with robbery at United Vegetable Oil Company located at Denton Bridge (Banjul). They have allegedly robbed United Vegetable Oil Company the sum of D400, 000, 00 in trust Sadivi Hauya.
On the third count, the accused were charged with disabling in order to commit a felony or misdemeanor, contrary to Section 208 of the Criminal Code. The charge indicated that the accused on 31 December 2024 at United Vegetable Oil Company, Saro (Denton Bridge), with intent to rob United Vegetable Oil Company and to facilitate such a robbery, suffocated Sadivi Hauya, a security guard by tying his legs and hands and covering his mouth to facilitate both the commission of the robbery and their flight uncaught.
However, the accused are yet to take their plea in the new indictment filed by the state.
It would be recalled that the alleged armed robbers, Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, Alfusainey Ousainou Jabarteh, and Omar Secka were previously charged at the lower court. In that charge, all four accused persons were included. However, when the case was brought before the High Court, the state filed new information that did not include the fourth accused, Omar Secka.
Defense counsel E. Sanneh, representing the first accused, stated that they had no objection to the adjournment, provided it was expedient. Counsel for the second accused, F. Jammeh, aligned himself with Sanneh’s submission.
Additionally, F. Jammeh informed the court that his client was being treated differently at Mile Two Central Prison and requested the court’s intervention. The court noted that this concern had previously been raised by the first accused’s counsel and advised F. Jammeh to discuss the matter with the other defense lawyers.
Counsel E. Sanneh recounted that he had earlier submitted to the court that his client was subjected to inhumane treatment, including being handcuffed and placed in solitary confinement. However, he stated that he later received a call from the Director of Prisons informing him that the first accused was no longer subjected to such treatment.
Justice Omar Cham advised Counsel F. Jammeh to raise the issue directly with the prison authorities. He further stated that if the mistreatment continues, the prison authorities would be reminded of the law, which upholds the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The case was adjourned to April 10, 2025.
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