Murder Trial in Death of Youth Leader Delayed as Court Orders Legal Representation for Accused

The murder case against Momodou Bah, widely known as “Area,” was adjourned at the High Court on Thursday after the court determined that the accused was without legal representation.

When the matter was called, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Durgan appeared for the state, while Bah appeared without counsel. Presiding Judge Justice S.K. Jobarteh confirmed that the court had received the Bill of Indictment filed by the prosecution.

Justice Jobarteh asked Bah whether he had retained a lawyer. Bah told the court that his previous lawyer had died and that he had been unable to engage another. When asked whether he wished to be represented by counsel, Bah replied that he did.

In her ruling, Justice Jobarteh held that because Bah is charged with murder, a capital offence, and is unable to obtain legal representation on his own, the state is obligated to provide him with counsel. She ordered that the National Agency for Legal Aid appoint a lawyer to represent the accused before the next hearing.

The judge further directed that the Executive Secretary of the National Agency for Legal Aid be served with copies of both the court’s order and the Bill of Indictment to facilitate the appointment of counsel.

The case was adjourned to Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., when Bah is expected to take his plea.

Prosecutors allege that on June 15, 2026, in Fajara, Bah fatally stabbed university youth leader Ba Yunusa Mbye in the neck with a bottle. He is charged with murder under Section 155 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.