By Sering Mass Jallow
Dawda Tangara was on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, convicted and sentenced by the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court to a fine of D25,000 or, in default, to serve three years’ imprisonment for a charge of serious assault.
Corporal 2231 Lamin Gibba appeared on behalf of the Inspector General of Police before Magistrate Binta Sowe, charging Tangara with assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 228 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01 Vol. 3, Laws of The Gambia, 2009.
According to the prosecution, the offence occurred on 28th January 2025 at Tina’s Bar and Restaurant in Manjai, Kanifing Municipality. On that night, Tangara allegedly approached the victim, Gikeh Jarra, who was seated at the bar, and asked him to buy him a bottle of wine. When Jarra declined, the accused became verbally abusive and subsequently attacked him with a broken glass bottle, injuring him under his left ear and on his left jaw.
The court heard that the injuries sustained were severe. When the charge was read to Tangara, he pleaded guilty and asked the court for leniency, claiming the incident was “the devil’s work.”
In her ruling, Magistrate Sowe cited Section 27(e), Subsection 29(3), and Section 228 of the Criminal Code before sentencing the accused to a fine of D25,000, or in default, three years in prison. She further ordered the convict to pay D25,000 in compensation to the victim, with a default sentence of four months’ imprisonment. The court ruled that all sentences shall run consecutively.
Magistrate Sowe also reminded the convict of his right to appeal.
