The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Justice have indicted Arona Tine for the murder of Fatoumatta Kargbo in Westfield, Kanifing Municipality (KM).
The AG Chambers’ counsel, Counsel Drammeh, apprised the court of Arona Tine’s indictment, which was submitted on March 13, 2024.
Counsel Drammeh informed the court, “My lord, we filed our information on the 13th of March 2024.”
The AG Chambers (Prosecution) has accused Arona Tine with murder in accordance with Section 187 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that Arona Tine fatally stabbed Fatoumatta Kargbo with a knife on January 19, 2024, at Westfield in the Kanifing Municipality of The Gambia.
Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, the presiding judge, asked Arona Tine what language she preferred to use in court. Arona Tine opted to communicate in Wolof.
According to the indictment, Hon. Justice Jaiteh warned Arona Tine of the seriousness of the charges and underlined the importance of having legal counsel during the trial.
Arona Tine told the judge that he is now in negotiations with a lawyer to be represented, but that no deal has been finalised.
Honourable Justice Jaiteh informed the court that Arona Tine, the accused, will get the bill of indictment and be required to provide it to his designated attorney for the case according to the circumstances.
Justice Jaiteh underlined that Arona Tine needs to turn in the bill of indictment back to the court if he is unable to afford legal representation.
Justice Jaiteh said that in the event that Arona Tine needed legal assistance, the court would step in to provide her access to counsel.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh stated, “Therefore, the accused is served in court with the bill of indictment and deemed to be properly served with same.”
The accused, Arona Tine, was questioned by Honourable Justice Jaiteh regarding the deadline for obtaining legal counsel.
Arona Tine replied by informing the court that he expected to require a minimum of one week to obtain legal representation.
Honourable Judge Jaiteh then set a date for the matter to be adjourned until March 26, 2024, at 11:00, in order to allow for the taking of pleas.
A list of eleven witnesses scheduled to appear in the trial was submitted by the Attorney General’s Chambers, accompanied by evidence such as CCTV footage, cash, knives, kettles, fabric stands, postmortem reports, and death certificates.