The judge, Emmanuel Ikpala said the state should send the case file of Ansumana Jarju and Alfusainey Jatta to the Legal Aid Agency for them to represent Mr Jatta. The judge said Mr Jatta needs a lawyer at the expense of the state as the charge of robbery is a capital offence.
Justice Ikpala issued this order following the chief prosecutor’s appeal that Mr Jarju be represented. Saleh Barkun said the charge of robbery carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. “We are ready to proceed today. We have our witness in court but this is a major stigma,” he said.
Mr Jarju is expected to take his plea again when the case resume next Monday.
Jarju and Jatta were arraigned at the high court last November on two counts of conspiracy to commit felony and robbery.
They are accused of robbing Guaranty Trust Bank of D410,120 while armed with a gun on September 5 at its branch in Bakau. They pleaded not guilty. The first accused is represented by Lamin Camara.
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