Father remanded

Principal Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Brikama Magistrates Court has ordered Lamin Bora Bajinka, a father standing trial for allegedly defiling his thirteen-year old step daughter, to be sent back to remand at the State Central Prison in Mile 2.

 The magistrate also ordered that the accused should reappear before him on the next adjourned date of September 30, 2008.

The presiding magistrate gave these orders to the police, yesterday, when the wife of the accused person, Jainaba Camara, informed the court of her intention to withdraw the case against him. She noted that from the date the accused person was arrested by the police, she (the wife) had been responsible for the family, fending under tedious circumstances.

"Since the accused person was arrested, I [have been] alone at home with the children," she said, looking frustrated. But in his response, Magistrate Jammeh told Mrs Camara that the case was a serious one considering the fact that it involved a young girl who was only thirteen years.

Mrs Camara (wife of accused) had admitted that the accused had truly had carnal knowledge of the young girl but he continues to deny the allegation.

Mr Bajinka adamantly maintains that even if he is sent to custody for ‘one thousand years’, he will always stand by his plea of not guilty.
Police Prosecutor Cpl 1260 Colley, represented the IGP.