Alleged Murder Case Involving Mustapha Mboge Transferred to High Court
Lady Justice © Askanwi
By Fatoumata Konteh
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court has transferred a murder case involving one Mustapha Mboge to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court for trial after determining that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The matter was brought before Magistrate F.J. Camara on 8th October 2026, for mention by Prosecutor ASP A. Touray on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Mboge was charged with murder, contrary to Section 155 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, and according to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed the offence on 27th September 2026, in Kololi, Kanifing Municipality.
The sheet stated that the accused caused the death of Lamin Mboge by stabbing him with a pair of scissors, with malice aforethought.
When the charge was read and interpreted to him in a local language, he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The accused was not represented by legal counsel, and following his guilty plea, Prosecutor ASP Touray applied for the matter to be transferred to the High Court, arguing that the Magistrates’ Court lacked jurisdiction to try a murder charge.
The prosecution submitted that murder carries a penalty of death or life imprisonment, and pursuant to Section 72(2)(a), together with the relevant legal notice issued under the directive of the Chief Justice, offences of such nature are required to be tried before the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.
The prosecution therefore requested that the accused be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison pending his appearance before the High Court, pursuant to Section 228 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025.
In her ruling, Magistrate Camara granted the prosecution’s application and ordered that the matter be transferred to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court for determination.
The court further directed the Registrar of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court to transmit the charge sheet and relevant records to the High Court.
Mboge was subsequently ordered to remain in custody at Mile 2 Central Prison, pending his appearance before the High Court.
