A Banjul Magistrate’s court has convicted and sentenced a man after he pleaded guilty to stealing a mobile phone at the city’s ferry terminal.
Hadim Njie was arraigned on a single count of theft, contrary to Section 231(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025. Prosecutors told the court that on July 11, 2025, Njie stole a Spark 10 mobile phone valued at D10,000 from one Amie Jobe.
The charge was read and interpreted to him in Wolof, his preferred language, to which he responded, “I plead guilty to the charge.”
Relying on the admission, Principal Magistrate Krubally entered a conviction without requiring further evidence, citing Section 75 of the Evidence Act, 1994, which provides that admitted facts need no proof.
The prosecution confirmed that the stolen phone had been recovered in good condition. They also informed the court that Njie was a first-time offender.
In his plea for leniency, Njie told the court that the theft was motivated by financial hardship, saying he needed money for transportation to attend “Magal Touba” and that he supports a wife and children. He assured the court it would be his first and last offence.
However, Magistrate Krubally dismissed the excuse, noting that “a tall, healthy, and strong man” like Njie could have engaged in meaningful work instead of resorting to theft. He stressed that such behaviour must be discouraged.
In passing sentence, the court took into consideration Njie’s guilty plea, the recovery of the stolen property, and his status as a first-time offender. Magistrate Krubally ordered him to pay a fine of D25,000 or serve one year in prison in default. He was further ordered to compensate the victim, Amie Jobe, with D5,000 or serve an additional three months in prison in default.
The sentences are to run consecutively, meaning the prison terms will be served back-to-back if the fines are not paid.
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