18-Year-Old Ordered Held at Mile 2 Prison in Fajikunda Stabbing Death

An 18-year-old Fajikunda resident accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old man during a fight last week has been remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison after his case was transferred to the High Court’s Special Criminal Division.

The defendant, Muhammed Sanneh, who is also known as “Mara,” is accused of stabbing Dawda Beyai at the Saint Charles Lwanga Parish Hall in Fajikunda in the early hours of June 21. He appeared Thursday before Magistrate R. Mendy at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, where he was charged with murder under Section 155 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, an offense punishable under Section 156 of the same law. The charge was read and interpreted for him in court. He did not have legal representation.

Prosecutors allege that Mr. Sanneh, acting with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused Mr. Beyai’s death at the parish hall on the date in question.

Before Mr. Sanneh could enter a plea, Chief Inspector D. Sanyang, representing the Inspector General of Police, raised a preliminary objection to the court’s jurisdiction. Citing Sections 72 and 228 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2025, the inspector argued that murder charges—which carry a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment—fall outside the authority of the Magistrates’ Court and must instead be heard by the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.

Chief Inspector Sanyang also asked that Mr. Sanneh be held at the state’s central prison pending his appearance before a High Court judge.

Magistrate Mendy granted the prosecution’s application, ruling that the lower court lacked jurisdiction over the case. She ordered the matter transferred to the Special Criminal Division and directed that Mr. Sanneh remain in custody until his next court date.

According to the prosecution’s account of events, the stabbing occurred around 5:10 a.m., after Mr. Beyai became involved in a fight with another man, identified as Salif Saidy. Officials allege that Mr. Sanneh then picked up a knife—its handle wrapped in cloth, which he had obtained from a man identified only as Habib, alias “Pastor” — and stabbed Mr. Beyai in the back before fleeing the scene.

Mr. Beyai was taken to Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Sanneh was later located, arrested, cautioned, and charged with murder.