By Omar Wally
Six paramilitary officers allegedly involved in the Faraba-Banta incident were Thursday, June 28 charged at the Banjul Magistrates Court.
The accused, Baboucarr Cham, Bala-Musa M.K. Fatty, Mamadou Z. Jallow, Alieu Camara, Musa Badjie and Nuha Colley were charged with three counts of murder.
According to the particulars of offense Baboucarr Cham and co, on the 18th of June 2018, at Faraba-Banta within the West Cost Region with malice aforethought caused the death of Bakary Jarju, Ebrima Bah and Amadou Jallow. The officers denied all the charges.
A Bah, who appeared for the state made an application for the accused to be remanded in Police custody adding that a commission of inquiry has been enforced to look into the matter; the accused were brought to court so that they can be legally remanded and help the investigators with the investigations.
In responds U. Achigbue, defense council said the court has discretion over the matter and will let it exercise it notwithstanding the power of the court is limited.
The presiding magistrate in her ruling said the accused persons are charged with capital offense and the magistrate court doesn’t have jurisdiction to put them on trial. She ordered for them to be remanded in custody until such a time that the matter is mentioned at the high court.
