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Gambia: Nine Jailed for Armed Robbery

Ten alleged arm robbers were, on Tuesday, arraigned before Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh. Nine of them pleaded guilty and were convicted and sentenced to mandatory jail terms, ranging from seven to ten years with hard labour. The one who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody.

According to the offences, the ten accused persons, in different groups, and at different locations, broke into people's shops and houses contrary to section 283, laws of the criminal code of the Gambia. The particulars indicated that on the 13th January 2007, they broke into the shop of one Nicohlas Prestine and stole an amount of D57, 000, 1,200 US dollars, Gamcel and Africell Credit Cards amounting to D1, 400. On the 24th March, they also broke into the shop of one Alfusainey Bah at Kololi with intent to steal. On the 15th February, they again broke into the bureau de change shop of one Demba Dibba, at Plaza Serrekunda, and dragged the safe towards London Corner. The state prosecutor, CSP Burama Dibba, told the court that all these incidents were reported to the police by the victims. He indicated that an investigation was mounted by the police and arrests were made. Dibba told the court that the accused persons were cautioned and statements were taken from them. Prosecutor Dibba indicated that they confessed that they were responsible for the breaking in of many shops in Serrekunda, Bundung and London Corner. He said that one of them, Soriba Conde, was very helpful to the police.

When delivering judgment, Magistrate Jammeh said that armed robbery is an act which is unacceptable, unspeakable, abominable, barbaric and cruel. "Your actions have left people in panic. You went with all kinds of weapons breaking into peoples' houses and shops. Your this enterprise needs an urgent stop. I will sentence you to a term so that people who are doing this act or about to do it can learn a lesson from it," he emphasised. He therefore sentenced Ebrima Jallow, Muhamed Darboe, Malick Sarge and Mambiram Gaye to seven years with hard labour. Abdoulie Baldeh to nine years, Soriba Counde, Cherno Jallow, Abdoulie Jobe and Ebrima Suma to ten years, all with hard labour. Magistrate Jammeh also ordered that after their jail term, the non Gambian nationals are to be deported back to their respective countries. Amadou Camara, who pleaded not guilty was remanded and was supposed to reappear on the 11th April. The case was tried at the Kanifing Magistrate Court amid a heavy security presence, including the PIU, police, plainclothes and immigration officers with a crowd of onlookers who filled the court room and the premises.