A 16-year-old girl allegedly raped by her biological father in Manduar, Kombo Central, was arraigned at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

‘M.J’ a 59-year-old man was slammed with single count of rape. When the charge was read and interpreted to him by the court interpreter in Wolof, Mr J, denied any culpability.

According to the bill of indictment filed by the police prosecutors, in May this year, Mr J had unlawful carnal knowledge of his biological daughter aged 16. Police prosecutor Inspector Kemo Manneh, applied for an adjournment to enable him to secure the first prosecution witness in court.

He recommended the court not to grant the accused bail as the investigation into the matter is on-going. To him, the victim in question happens to be the biological daughter of the accused person and there is likelihood that if granted bail, he may interfere with the investigation.

He asserted that they are therefore urging the court to remand the accused in the best interest of the child, and also to send the file to Attorney General’s Chambers in Banjul to have a fiat.

In reply to the prosecution’s objection, the accused person who was unrepresented by a lawyer begged the court to grant him bail saying he is a family man with nine children and therefore, will not jump bail.

Presiding Magistrate Anna Mendy granted the prosecution’s application and remanded the accused at the state central prisons pending the completion of the investigation. The case was adjourned to 15th September.

 

By: Sainabou Jasseh