Man Sentenced for Criminal Offences

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Lama S. Jallow and Gibbi Sallah

22 June 2011

The Brikama Magistrates Court presided over by Magistrate Hilary Abeke, on Tuesday 21st June 2011, sentenced one Alhagie Sanneh to pay a fine of D5000 in default to serve three years imprisonment. The accused was charged with two counts of criminal offences.

On count one, the accused was charged with impersonating a public officer contrary to Section 93 of Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia. The particulars of offence stated that on or about 13th June 2011 in Kunkujang village, Kombo North, West Coast Region, the accused presented himself to one Fansainey Sanneh, the complainant, that he is a public officer, when he (the accused) knew that such representation was false.

On count 2, the accused was charged with obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 288 of the Criminal Code. The particulars of offence revealed that the accused on the same day at the same place, obtained the sum of D700 to give it to the director general of Prisons Department, David Colley, so that Saikou Badjie, a convict at Mile II Prison can be released from custody, when he knew that such representation was false, and he thereby committed an offence.

When the charge sheet was read to the accused person, he pleaded guilty. The police prosecutor for the case, Inspector Jammeh explained the facts in court. According to the police prosecution, the accused stated that he was sent by David Colley, the director general of Prisons to receive the sum of D700 from the complainant so that during the president’s Ramadan pardon of convicted prisoners, the complainant’s son, Saikou Badjie who is in prison custody, can be released.

The accused accepted the charges and facts narrated by the police prosecutor. In his plea of mitigation, the accused urged the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that he is a family man. The presiding magistrate then sentenced him accordingly.

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