A lawyer argued unsuccessfully yesterday that a French-speaking West African should not be allowed to plead to charges in the Supreme Court that he did not understand.

Lawyer Elizabeth Christopher told Chief Justice Austin Ward that Yaloo Celtius Mitchai was not aware of the charges against him because he had not been advised by a lawyer.

Mitchai, from Benin, pleaded not guilty to importing and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

He had obtained the assistance of French Consul Edgar Humann, but said he still did not understand the charges against him. Mr. Humann told the court that Mitchai had not seen a lawyer while in prison.

Ms Christopher intervened and told the court he was pleading guilty to part of the counts against him.

She held that he should not be allowed to officially plead until he received legal advice.

However he was allowed to plea.

The charges stem from an arrest at the Bermuda International Airport on March 2 as he was entering the Island.

In other arraignments, Nikia Jayvon Burchall, 26, of Middle Town Lane, Pembroke pleaded not guilty to robbing a man of jewellery worth $2,925 on March 14.

He will appear for mention on July 3.

Justis Raham Smith of Deep Dale West, Pembroke, appeared for mention for allegedly assaulting two women in Dockyard. He will be mentioned again in the next arraignments session in July.

Maureen Rose Marie Trott, 50, who previously admitted stealing $400,000 from the Bank of Butterfield between 1989 and 1996 also appeared for mention.

Her lawyer, Llewellyn Peniston, told the court that since her last appearance, other matters had appeared in the case and he asked Mr. Justice Ward to order a psychological assessment of Trott.

Trott who had been on bail, was remanded in custody until July 1.