A taxi driver who was charged with eight counts including rape and robbery pleads not guilty. 

Ismaila Ndong was arrested last year after being linked with a spate of crimes in the Kanifing Municipality targeting lone women at night.

He was charged on count one with rape contrary to section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act, 2013. 

According to the particulars of offence, Ismaila Ndong, on or about 4th December 2019 in Bakau intentionally and under coercive circumstance engaged in a sexual act with a victim (name withheld).

And he was charged on count two with robbery with violence contrary to section 272 of the Criminal Code and punishable under section 273 (2) of the Criminal Code.

He was alleged to have robbed a victim at knifepoint as well as hit her on the face and forcefully took D12,900, bottle of spray, Bluetooth speaker valued at D300, power bank, four mobile phones – Samsung Galaxy S6, iPhone 8 and two simple mobile phones valued at D10,000, D13,000 and D800 as well as a wig valued at D25,000.

Mr Ndong was also charged with rape contrary to section 3 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2013. According to the particulars of the offence, on or about the 26th November 2019 in Bakau he intentionally and under coercive circumstance engaged in a sexual act with a second victim (name withheld).

He was also charged with robbery contrary to section 272 of the Criminal Code.

According to the particulars of the offence, “Ismaila Ndong on or about the 26th November 2019 at Brufut put the second victim (name withheld), at a knife point, hit her on the face and forcefully took her Samsung A2 with Africell and Qcell numbers, D5000, brown hand bag containing D450, one finger ring and a bangle valued at D3500.

“The young man was accused of robbery with violence, according to the particulars of the offence, on or about the 26th November 2019 at Traffic Light Kairaba Avenue slapped his third victim (name withheld) and forcefully took her iPhone 6 valued at D8000, a simple phone marked Techno at D500, wrist watch valued at D250, charger valued at D200, bangle valued at D700, ring valued at D100 and earpiece valued at D200.”

He was also handed another charge of robbery with violence. According to the particulars of the offence, on or about the 26th November 2019 at Traffic Light Kairaba Avenue slapped his fourth victim (name withheld) and forcefully snatched her bag containing D39,000.

He was also charged with rape and according to particulars of the offence, on or about the 21st November 2019, in or around Busumbala Village, he intentionally and under coercive circumstance engaged in a sexual act with his fifth victim (name withheld).

“On the final charge, Ndong was charged with robbery with violence. According to the particulars of offence: on or about the 21st November 2019 in or around Busumbala Village he robbed his fifth victim (name withheld) at knife point and forcefully took her Phone Hanor valued at D10,000, a bag containing D1,275, small silver ring, earring, ring, head ban and two pads.

The court hearing was adjourned to June 17. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba