Muhammed Sanneh, alias “Mara,” an 18-year-old Fajikunda resident accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Dawda Beyai with a knife at Saint Charles Hall during a fight in the early hours of 21st June, has been remanded at the Mile 2 Central Prisons after the Bundung Magistrates’ Court transferred his murder case to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.
Muhammad Sanneh appeared before Magistrate R. Mendy Esq, facing a charge of murder contrary to Section 155 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, punishable under Section 156 of the same Act. The charge was read by the clerk and interpreted. He was unrepresented by counsel.
The prosecution alleges that on the 21st of June 2026 at the Saint Charles Luwanga Parish Hall in Fajikunda, Muhammad Sanneh, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Dawda Beyai, aged 23.
Before the accused could enter a plea, Chief Inspector D. Sanyang, appearing for the Inspector General of Police, raised a preliminary application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Chief Inspector D. Sanyang made an application for the transfer of the matter. Relying on Sections 72 and 228 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2025, he submitted that the offence of murder, carrying the penalty of death or life imprisonment, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court and must be tried before the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.
He further applied for the accused to be remanded at the State Central Prisons pending his appearances before a judge at the High Court.
Magistrate Mendy granted the prosecution’s application for lack of Jurisdiction. Magistrate Mendy transferred the case to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court and ordered that the accused be remanded in custody pending his appearances before the High Court.
According to the facts of the case, the incident occurred at 05:10. Dawda Beyai was engaged in a fight with one Salif Saidy when Muhammad Sanneh allegedly picked up a knife, its handle wrapped in cloth from one Habib, alias “Pastor,” and stabbed the deceased in the back before fleeing the scene.
Dawda Beyai was rushed to the Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and a hunt for Muhammad Sanneh was successful. He was arrested, cautioned, and charged with murder.
