Principal Magistrate Krubally of the Banjul Magistrate Court has convicted Alagie Amadou Jallow, a 21-year-old fisherman, for the theft of a motorbike valued at D43,000. Despite Amadou Jallow’s claims that he was a victim of a police setup, the court found the prosecution’s evidence overwhelming.
The incident began on January 13, 2025, when the complainant, Momodou Agibou Jallow, reported that his blue and black TVS motorbike was missing from his compound in Banjul.
The court heard testimony from Sergeant Atabou Jammeh, who intercepted the accused in Serrekunda. Sergeant Jammeh testified that he spotted Amadou Jallow and a young child pushing a motorbike without a number plate around 11:00 PM.
Upon inspection, the officer discovered the ignition key was broken. Although Amadou Jallow initially claimed the bike belonged to his brother, a man brought to the scene to verify the claim told officers that Amadou Jallow was actually attempting to sell the bike to him.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence from the Anti-Crime Unit, stating that Amadou Jallow eventually confessed to the theft and even led investigators to the scene of the crime.
However, Amadou Jallow maintained his innocence during his defence. He alleged that the true culprit was an individual named Algasim Jallow, who he claimed was released after his father paid the police D15,000. Amadou Jallow further alleged that a police officer told him he would be prosecuted only because he refused to pay a bribe, opting instead to save his money to develop his late father’s compound.
Magistrate Krubally noted that the accused failed to produce any witnesses to support these claims despite being given several opportunities to do so.
In his judgment, Magistrate Krubally emphasised that the accused was found in physical possession of the stolen property without any legal documentation.
“The prosecution has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” the Magistrate ruled.
Before sentencing, Amadou Jallow pleaded for mercy, revealing that he is a first-time offender and was scheduled to be married in two weeks. He expressed a desire to change his life.
Taking the accused’s age and clean record into account, Magistrate Krubally opted for a financial penalty rather than imprisonment.
Magistrate Krubally fined Amadou Jallow D5,000 dalasis, or three months in prison, a compensation of D5,000 dalasis to be paid to the victim, or six months in prison, and Magistrate Krubally ordered the return of the TVS motorbike to its rightful owner.
The Magistrate warned that if Jallow fails to comply with both financial orders, the prison terms will run consecutively.
