By Louise Jobe
A young man identified as Musa Njie has been sentenced by the Brikama Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to breaking into a home in Penyem village and stealing over D150,000 worth of cash and valuables.
Njie appeared before Magistrate Isatou O. Njie on Monday, 28th July 2025, where he faced two charges: housebreaking and stealing, both in violation of The Gambia’s Criminal Offences Act.
According to the charge sheet, on or about 30th June 2025, the accused unlawfully entered the home of one Mr. Lamin Janka through a window and stole a total of D154,536 in cash and items, including a Samsung tablet valued at D32,718, an iPad worth D16,318, and a Rawta device estimated at D5,500, along with D100,000 in cash.
When the case was called, Police Prosecutor Inspector Fadera announced his appearance on behalf of the Inspector General of Police. Njie was unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to both counts.
Narrating the facts of the case, Inspector Fadera told the court that on the morning of 30th June, between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., while the complainant and his wife were away at work, the accused scaled the fence and entered the house through a window. He ransacked the bedroom and stole the items and money listed in the charge.
Upon their return, the complainants discovered the break-in — their clothes scattered and their belongings missing. They immediately reported the matter to the Madina Police Station. Shortly after, the complainants received information about the suspect’s whereabouts. With the help of a neighbor, the accused was apprehended and taken to the police station, where he was cautioned and charged.
Following his guilty plea, Magistrate Isatou O. Njie sentenced Njie to pay a fine of D20,000 or serve two years in prison on the count of housebreaking. On the second count of stealing, he was similarly fined D20,000 or, in default, face another two years in prison.
In addition to the sentence, Inspector Fadera applied for compensation under Section 191 of the Criminal Offences Act, requesting that the complainant be reimbursed for the stolen amount. The magistrate granted the application and ordered Njie to repay the full sum of D154,536.
In the event of default, the accused will serve an additional two years imprisonment. Magistrate Njie ruled that all prison sentences would run consecutively, meaning Njie could face up to six years in prison if he fails to pay the fines and compensation.
