Principal Magistrate Taiwo Ade Alagbe of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, Wednesday ordered the transfer of a rape case involving the state against one Demba Sowe to the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.

The accused person is charged with rape contrary to Section 121 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01 Volume III, Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009. The particulars of the offence stated that the accused, in or about the month of April 2012 at Farafenni, in the North Bank Region, unlawfully had canal knowledge of a lady (name withheld) without her consent.

The presiding magistrate ordered the transfer of the case to the SCC, as his court does not have the jurisdiction to try the offence charged. He further ordered that the accused be remanded on a holding charge at the state central prison at Mile 2, pending his proper arraignment at the SCC.