Ebrima Ceesay, the murder suspect in court.
The suspect in the murder of Wellingara taxi driver Ebrima Ceesay was formally arraigned before Principal Magistrate Krubally of the Banjul Magistrate Court on Monday, as authorities moved to transfer the case to the Special Criminal Court.
Ebou Secka, the accused, faces charges of murder in connection with Ebrima Ceesay’s death. Representing the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Sanneh, Deputy Commissioner M. Jarju, Corporal 7048 A.Y. Bojang, and Inspector Saidykhan appeared in court.
Deputy Commissioner Jarju, leading the prosecution, requested the court to transfer the case before the charge sheet was read. Citing Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Legal Notice Number 3 of 2009, which mandates that murder and other capital offenses be tried in the Special Criminal Court, he argued for the legal necessity of the move.
Additionally, Jarju petitioned under Section 208A of the Criminal Procedure Code to have Secka remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison until his formal appearance before the Special Criminal Court of the High Court.
Principal Magistrate Krubally granted both applications, noting the legal framework governing such cases.
“I hereby transfer the case to the Special Criminal Court and also order the accused to be remanded in the Mile Two Central Prisons pending his appearance before the Special Criminal Court,” he ruled.
Secka has been charged with murder under Section 187 of the Criminal Code. Prosecutors allege that in July 2024, he acted with malice aforethought and unlawfully caused the death of Ebrima Ceesay. The case will now proceed before the High Court’s Special Criminal Court, where Secka is expected to stand trial.