Kebba Dumbuya: Denies Assault Intent to Steal Charges in Tanji, Gambia

• Kebba Dumbuya was arraigned in Gambia on charges of assault with intent to steal and common assault.
• He is accused of stabbing Ismaila Jallow with a broken bottle in Tanji on September 21, 2026, causing actual bodily harm.
• Dumbuya pleaded not guilty to the charges, which fall under Sections 250 and 195 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
• Principal Magistrate Mam Samba Jallow granted him D150,000 bail with two Gambian sureties.
• The case has been adjourned to October 14, 2026, for the prosecution to present witnesses.

The proceedings underscore the routine application of the Criminal Offences Act 2025 in The Gambia's judicial system, illustrating the standard steps involved in a criminal arraignment.

Kebba Dumbuya recently faced a Gambia criminal arraignment before Principal Magistrate Mam Samba Jallow, where he denied charges of assault with intent to steal. The allegations stem from an incident in Tanji, located within the West Coast Region, on or around September 21, 2026. According to the charge sheet presented by ASP N. Bojang, representing the Inspector General of Police, Dumbuya is accused of unlawfully assaulting an individual named Ismaila Jallow.

The prosecution's particulars detail that Dumbuya allegedly stabbed Jallow in the mouth using a broken bottle, an act said to have caused actual bodily harm. This primary accusation, an assault with intent to steal charge, is contrary to Section 250 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025. A second count of common assault, under Section 195 of the same Act, was also included in the charge sheet; however, the court noted inconsistencies in the particulars concerning the identity of the accused for this specific count.

During the court appearance, the charges were read and interpreted to Kebba Dumbuya in Mandinka, after which he formally entered a plea of not guilty to the allegations. Following his plea, the prosecution, led by ASP Bojang, requested an adjournment to enable them to present their witnesses. Notably, the prosecution did not oppose the granting of bail to Dumbuya.

Dumbuya addressed the court directly, asserting his innocence and claiming he was wrongly arrested for an offense he knew nothing about. He explained that he was apprehended by police officers in Tanji while returning from work and subsequently accused of stealing. Dumbuya also informed the court that he had been detained for over a week, initially at Tanji Police Station before being transferred to Latrikunda. He further stated that his mother, whom he had expected to serve as a surety, had passed away. After considering the arguments from both sides, Principal Magistrate Mam Samba Jallow granted Dumbuya D150,000 bail Gambia, requiring two Gambian sureties. The case has been adjourned to October 14, 2026, for the prosecution to call its witnesses.

The charges brought against Kebba Dumbuya fall under the Criminal Offences Act 2025, specifically Section 250 for assault with intent to steal, and Section 195 for common assault. These sections define the legal parameters for such offenses within The Gambia's jurisdiction. The proceedings underscore the routine application of the Criminal Offences Act 2025 in The Gambia's judicial system, illustrating the standard steps involved in a criminal arraignment.

This case, involving an alleged Kebba Dumbuya assault intent steal Tanji Gambia, highlights the procedural aspects of the Gambian legal system, from the formal reading of charges and interpretation in a local language to the accused's right to plea and the court's consideration of bail. It serves as an example of how the judiciary handles criminal allegations, ensuring due process while preparing for the presentation of evidence by both the prosecution and defense.

This article details a standard criminal arraignment in The Gambia, offering no novel legal precedent or immediate actionable compliance implications beyond illustrating routine court procedures for assault charges under the Criminal Offences Act 2025.

Source: Original reporting via Foroyaa