Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – Three men accused of orchestrating a violent robbery at the United Vegetable Oil Company in Banjul have pleaded not guilty to all charges as they appeared before Justice Ebrima Cham of the High Court on Monday.

The accused – Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, and Losseni Diabate – face three counts: conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery, and disabling to commit a felony or misdemeanor. The case stems from a daring heist allegedly carried out on December 31, 2024, at the company’s premises near Saro Denton Bridge.

State Prosecutor Mballow appeared for the prosecution. The accused are being represented by different defense lawyers: Lamin J. Darboe for the first accused, A. Jallow of the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) for the second accused, and Counsel E. Sanneh for the third accused, who was absent during Monday’s proceedings.

According to the prosecution, the three men – along with one Alfusainey Ousainou Jobarteh – conspired to rob the oil company, violating Section 368 of the Criminal Code. The second count alleges that the accused robbed the company of D400,000, a charge brought under Section 273(2). The prosecution identified the victim as Sadivi Hauya, a security guard at the facility.

The third count accuses the men of disabling Hauya to facilitate the robbery and their escape. Prosecutors claim the trio tied the guard up and covered his mouth, rendering him unable to resist or call for help — a charge laid under Section 208 of the Criminal Code.

Following the plea, State Counsel Mballow requested the court to remand the accused at Mile 2 Central Prison and to adjourn the matter. Citing Section 226 of the Criminal Procedure Code, he argued that the absence of certain witnesses and the need for adequate preparation warranted a postponement.

Justice Cham granted the request, adjourning the matter to May 5 and May 6, 2025, for further hearing at 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively. All three accused remain in state custody pending the continuation of the trial.