The Kanifing Magistrate Court sends 37 youths to Mile 2 until October when the High Court resumes session. The case of Killa and 36 others are transferred to High Court because the lower court does not have the jurisdiction to try charges such as arson and willful damage.
The Kanifing Magistrate Court has transferred the case of popular rapper Killa Ace and 36 others to the special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul on Tuesday.
Killa and others face up to 8 charges including willful damage, riot and arson. Their arrest and charges are related to the protest which erupted in Serrekunda on July 24 against the death of Ousman Darboe, a Sierra Leonean national.
Darboe, an asthma patient, died 3 days after he was released from the custody of the police anti-crime unit. His friends claimed he was tortured resulting to his death.
The police later arrested the popular artist and 36 others on suspicion that they burnt the house of the head of the police anti-crime division, Gorgi Mboob. They also claimed the 37 were involved in ransacking the Bakoteh police station.
The youths are yet to take a plea. During their initial appearance at the Kanifing Court, the prosecution has asked for the case to be transferred to the High Court since the lower court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.
In the court’s ruling today, the magistrate transferred the case to High Court on grounds that the lower court cannot hear charges that carry a penalty of up to life such as arson.
The court also denied the 37 bail. The court said bail cannot be granted for offences that carry penalty of up to life or death such as arson.
Meanwhile, the court ordered for the accused persons to be granted visits by relatives and medical treatment if they require.
There was an angry reaction to the decision of the court. Dozens of young people accused the Government of heavy-handedness.
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