By Landing Ceesay
Arona Tine has been indicted for the murder of Fatoumatta Kargbo at Westfield, Kanifing Municipality (KM), by the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice.
Counsel Drammeh, representing the AG Chambers, informed the court of the indictment against Arona Tine, filed on March 13, 2024.
“My lord, we filed our information on the 13th of March 2024,” Counsel Drammeh told the court.
Arona Tine is charged with murder under Section 187 of The Criminal Code by the AG Chambers (Prosecution). The Prosecution claims that on January 19, 2024, at Westfield in the Kanifing Municipality of The Gambia, Arona Tine intentionally stabbed Fatoumatta Kargbo with a knife, resulting in her death.
The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, inquired about Arona Tine’s preferred language for court proceedings. Arona Tine chose to speak in Wolof.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh informed Arona Tine of the severity of the charges based on the indictment and emphasized the necessity of legal representation for the trial.
Arona Tine disclosed to the court that he is in talks with a lawyer for representation, but no agreement has been reached yet.
Honorable Justice Jaiteh announced to the court that, given the situation, Arona Tine (the accused) would be served with the bill of indictment for him to deliver it to his appointed lawyer for the case.
Justice Jaiteh emphasized that if Arona Tine is unable to retain legal counsel, he must return the bill of indictment to the court.
Furthermore, Justice Jaiteh stated that the court would intervene to ensure Arona Tine’s access to legal representation, if necessary.
“Therefore the accused is served in court with the bill of indictment and deemed to be properly served with the same,” Hon. Justice Jaiteh said.
Honorable Justice Jaiteh inquired of Arona Tine, the accused, about the timeframe required to enlist the assistance of legal representation.
In response, Arona Tine conveyed to the court that he anticipated needing at least one week to secure the services of a lawyer.
Subsequently, Honorable Justice Jaiteh scheduled an adjournment of the case to the 26th of March 2024 at 11:00, for the purpose of plea-taking.
The Attorney General’s Chambers presented a list of 11 witnesses slated to testify in the trial, along with evidence including CCTV footage, a knife, money, a kettle, cloth stands, a postmortem report, and a death certificate.