Car Thief Sentenced
Monday 31st March 2008

By Isatou Fatty

The Brikama Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Sulayman Bah for stealing a motor vehicle as well as escaping from lawful custody.

According to court records, it was in February of this year when Sulayman was brought to Yundum police station by a team of soldiers. The soldiers, the facts went on, claimed that Sulayman had stolen a car and then sold it in Cassamance. The facts revealed that whilst in police custody in Yundum, the convict managed to effect his escape in the early hours of the morning.“ He escaped whilst being handcuffed.”

Meanwhile, Sulayman was sentenced to spend eight months for stealing a vehicle and 12 months for escaping from custody. The sentences are to run consecutively. Sainey Jarju, who helped him to remove the handcuff, was sentenced to pay a fine of D1000 in default to serve a month in prisons.

The case was chaired by Magistrate John Njie.

 
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Brikama Man Convicted for Threatening Violence
Monday 31st March 2008

By Isatou Fatty

One Modou Lamin Cham was lately convicted by the Brikama Magistrates’ Court for threatening violence as well as causing willful damage to property.

Modou Lamin was found guilty of intimidating one Adama Njie of Brikama Nema. He was also found guilty of damaging Adama’s stabilizer valued at D1000.

In his judgement, Magistrate John Njie sentenced Modou Lamin to pay a fine of D2,000 and, failure of fine payment means he would go to jail for nine months. He was also fined D3000 in default to serve 18 months in jail. Both sentences shall run consecutively. 

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Testimonies Jump-start in Drug Trial
Monday 31st March 2008

By Abdoulie Nyockeh & Abdoulie Nget

Testimonies have jump-started in the trial of one Mustapha Bah almost a year after his interception with a quantity of substance suspected to be illegal drugs.

Mustapha Bah was arrested in July of last year whilst allegedly attempting to smuggle marijuana into town.

According to Alhagie Bojang, a police officer attached to Brikama police station, Mustapha was arrested on 19 July 2007 when he [Bojang], alongside others, mounted a checkpoint along the Brikama/Serrekunda highway.

“At the checkpoint, we intercepted a commercial van with registration number BJL 4124 and when a search was conducted on it, we found a black bag near the accused. The bag was containing four parcels of substance suspected to be cannabis and on further query, Mustapha confessed of being the owner of the bag,” said officer Bojang.

“He was arrested and taken to Brikama police station where he was cautioned and charged,” concluded officer Bojang.

The case continues.

 
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Drug Suspect to Return to Court
Monday 31st March 2008

By A. Nyockeh & A.Nget

One Musa Badjie will return to court this Wednesday following the opening of his case for a full trial.

Musa is now undergoing trial for being found in possession of dope; allegation he denied.

Baboucarr Ceesay, a commercial van driver, on Thursday of last week gave evidence in the case which is now before Magistrate Edrisa Mbai at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court in Western Region.

According to the prosecution witness, in his testimony, Mustapha boarded his vehicle somewhere between Bintang and Kobokora.

“At the time, he was holding a pan clad with a piece of cloth. As we traveled Brikama bound, the vehicle was intercepted at a checkpoint at the Bullock police station by one detective Lamin Badjie. He asked to as who was the owner of the pan atop the vehicle upon which my mate pointed at the accused.

“When the pan was removed and searched, it was found out that the content was marijuana. Musa admitted ownership of the pan but later at the station, he recanted his statement and denied any association with the pan.  He was nonetheless charged.”

The case resumes April 3 for continuation of testimonies.