Ex NIA boss & Co case transferred to High Court

By Baba Sillah Following their arraignment at the lower court in Banjul last week on charges of murder and conspiracy, the former director general of National Intelligence Agency, Yankuba Badgie and eight others have had their case transferred to the High Court where they will now appear at anytime. According to our sources, the case has been filed at the High Court since Wednesday but it is yet to be assigned to any judge yet. Mr Badgie and Co are being tried on charges of conspiracy and murder for allegedly taking part in the murder of Solo Sandeng, the former youth leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) who was arrested and allegedly tortured to death while in detention after he staged a peaceful demonstration for electoral reform last year. Mr Badgie and his co-defendants however denied any responsibility for the death of Mr Sandeng. Police Prosecutor Alpha Badgie who appeared for the Inspector General of Police told the court that the incident occurred on May 15 last year. Prosecutor Badgie consequently applied under Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the matter to be transferred to the High Court which has the jurisdiction to hear the matter since the crime is a capital offence while urging the court to remand the accused persons pending their appearance before the High Court. Principal Magistrate Isatou Janneh-Njie accordingly transferred the matter and ordered for the remand of Mr Badgie and Co.]]>