The High Court in the Gambian city of Banjul sentenced two accused to life imprisonment for robbing two victims of their mobile phones.
According to Gambian law, the accused were punished for the offence of robbery with violence contrary to Section 272 of the Criminal Code.
“On count one, the particulars of offence stated that Mustapha Cham and Saikou Minteh on or about the 25th February 2012 at New Jeshwang in the Kanifing Municipality, whilst armed with offensive weapons, robbed one Ebou Njie of his Nokia mobile phone along with an Africell sim card and a Qcell sim card after subjecting him to assorted acts of violence,” wrote Gambia’s The Daily Observer.
During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty to both counts against them, while the prosecution called three witnesses and submitted six pieces of evidence. The accused gave evidence in their defence but did not call any witnesses or submitted evidence.
“In handing down the sentence, Justice Mikailu disclosed that he has taken into account the record of previous conviction put forward by the DPP with respect to the 1st accused. He pointed out that he had also taken into account the nature of the charge which is assuming a greater dimension in recent times, adding that the court is supposed to be the last hope of the common man,” The Daily Observer added.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
