By Landing Ceesay
Maimuna Jallow, a young mother accused of Manslaughter in connection with the death of her 5-month-old infant, was released on Tuesday following the State’s decision to file a nolle prosequi.
Maimuna Jallow was facing a manslaughter charge under Section 189 of the Criminal Code Revised Laws of The Gambia, 2009. Prosecutors contended that on October 4, 2023, around 19:00 hours in Manjai, within the Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia, Maimuna Jallow was responsible for the death of her five-month-old baby, Sirajo Jallow.
The prosecution alleged that Maimuna Jallow had “negligently” entrusted her infant to Fifteen-year-old Kadijatou Camara, a minor, despite knowing that the minor was not adequately equipped to care for the baby. This alleged negligence resulted in severe health complications, ultimately leading to the baby’s death, constituting an offense.
In a nolle prosequi dated November 27, 2023, the prosecution (State) decided to discontinue the case and drop the charge against Maimuna Jallow.
DPP AM Yusuf, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia, informed the court, “In exercise of the powers vested in me by Section 85 (1) (c) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia and under Section 64 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code Vol. 3 Cap 11:01 Revised Laws of the Gambia 2009, I, Abdurrahman Maitama Yusuf, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice of the Republic of the Gambia, hereby inform this Honourable Court that the State intends that the proceedings in the indictment against the above accused person in Crim. Case No. HC/844/23/CR/165/AO be withdrawn.”
A nolle prosequi, derived from Latin meaning “unwilling to prosecute,” signifies that there will be no prosecution against Maimuna Jallow. Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court of The Gambia granted the application and discharged Maimuna Jallow.