By Bruce Asemota
Two men, Alagie Camara and Sheikh Joof, have denied charges that they robbed Chinese businessmen with cutlasses and knives.
The duo took their plea yesterday before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul on two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery with violence.
The prosecution alleged that on 2 July at Old Yundum the suspects, Alagie Camara and Sheikh Joof with one Omar Mbowe (now at large) conspired and jointly robbed four businessmen; Mai Zhi Qiana, Si Ming Su, Maya and Fang Yi Steven whilst armed with cutlasses and knives.
The prosecution also alleged that they robbed the Chinese businessmen of D280.000.00, $1100, four iPhones, one thousand Chinese Yuen, an unspecified amount of Chinese currency notes and five Turkish currency notes.
The two suspects, who had earlier indicated that they cannot afford the services of a lawyer, were provided with lawyers from the National Agency of Legal Aids.
Justice Ebrima Ba Jaiteh stressed that it is a capital offence which, if convicted, carries a penalty of life imprisonment hence, the need for them to be represented.
The case was adjourned to 14 December, 2020 for the prosecution to call its first witness.
