By Amadou Jadama
A principal magistrate at the Brikama court yesterday convicted and sentenced one Guinean, Momodou Yerro Gaye commonly known as ‘Tamba’ to a mandatory jail term of 3 years.
Mr Gaye was convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit felony.
Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo also ordered for the deportation of Mr Gaye upon completion of his jail term to Guinea.
Mr Gaye was among eight others dragged to court for an assault in March on an immigration post in Gunjur. He was the only one who pleaded guilty on charges of conspiracy.
He was first arraigned together with Domingo Manneh aka Ponkal, Muhammed Silver, Amadou Wurry Jallow, Carlos Sambou and Momodou Barry as well as Gambians Lamin Jarju and Banjul Sanyang. They face charges of conspiracy to commit felony, grievous bodily harm and assault. They all pleaded not guilty.
The prosecuting team led by Superintendent Musa Camara, ASP Kalilu Kinteh and ASP Suwaibou Bittaye told the court the incident happened in April at Gunjur Kajambang.
ASP Bittaye told the court that it was at this town the group planned and agreed amongst themselves to attack the newly inaugurated immigration post located at Gunjur Beach.
He said all the accused attended the meeting including others who are still at large.
“The following day, on 9 April all the accused persons assembled around 1am and armed with various weapons including sticks, knives, cutlasses and a short gun. They then launched the attack on the post,” Bittaye told the court.
In his plea of mitigation, Lawyer PK Mendy begged the court on behalf of Mr Gaye to temper justice with mercy.
He told the presiding magistrate that Mr Gaye was a first-time offender who did not waste the court’s time.
“He has been living in the country for a long time and never committed any crime,” lawyer Mendy submitted.
He told the court Mr Gaye is a family man and that his children are living in Guinea Conakry, but came to the country in search of pastures to support his people.
“Therefore, if he is sent to prison, his family will suffer,” Mendy pleaded.
However, Principal Magistrate Dabo convicted and sentenced him accordingly.
Meanwhile, the remaining seven accused were granted bail in the sum of 300, 000 dalasi with each expected to pay 150,000 dalasis with two Gambian sureties.
