Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, the Gambia) – The police have this Tuesday issued a public notice on the progress made in the case involving several Marakissa youths accused of disturbance in the village, where officers faced resistance while attempting to arrest a suspect.

According to the police, the incident, now before the Brikama Magistrate Court, involves charges including conspiracy to commit a felony, conduct leading to a breach of peace, assault causing bodily harm, obstruction of police, and threatening violence.

Magistrate AB Faal of the Brikama Courts has remanded the accused, with proceedings set to continue on June 5, 2024.

During the proceedings, Magistrate Mendy noted that three of the accused claimed to be minors. To proceed with the case, their ages must be verified. If confirmed as minors, their cases will be transferred to the children’s court, and the legal aid office will be contacted to provide them with legal representation.

The court has adjourned the case pending further investigation into the ages of the accused minors and the provision of appropriate legal counsel.

In the same vein, the police revealed that the primary suspect in the obstruction was charged with theft, pleaded guilty, and received a sentence combining a D10,000 fine and compensation of D28,615, alongside a total imprisonment of 7 months, to run consecutively. Additionally, D39,000 was recovered and returned to the complainant.

The public is strongly advised to refrain from obstructing police officers while they are executing their duties and to allow the law to take its course.