By Mariama Marong
Two Ghanaian men, Steven Kofi Auna and Kojo Sey, were each fined D50,000 for selling and manufacturing unauthorized herbal medicines in The Gambia. The case, brought before Magistrate Isatou Jallow, was presented by Police Inspector O. Jaiteh on behalf of the Inspector General of Police. Both accused men were unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to the charges.
In the court’s proceedings, Magistrate Jallow entered a guilty plea on behalf of the accused, who admitted to the crime. Police prosecutor O. Jaiteh detailed the facts of the case, explaining that Auna and Sey had been involved in manufacturing, preparing, and storing herbal medicines at unauthorized premises, in violation of Section 59 of the Medicines Control Act 2014.
According to the prosecution, the two men were found on June 25, 2025, in Brufut – Ghana Town, within the jurisdiction of the court, where they were storing and selling herbal medicines without approval from the Medicines Control Agency. This action was deemed a breach of the law.
During the mitigation phase, Steven Kofi Auna expressed remorse and requested the court to show leniency, explaining that he and his partner were unaware that selling and making herbal medicines required official certification or authorization. Kojo Sey echoed Auna’s sentiments, pleading for mercy from the court.
In her judgment, Magistrate Jallow acknowledged that both Auna and Sey were first-time offenders and were unaware of the legal requirements for manufacturing and selling herbal medicines. Taking this into consideration, she imposed a fine of D50,000 on each of the convicts. Magistrate Jallow further stated that if either of the accused fails to pay the fine, they would face one month in prison.
