By: Isatou Sarr
The Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8th September 2025, convicted and sentenced Muhammed Keita to two years’ imprisonment for theft.
Muhammed Keita appeared before Magistrate K.B. Sambou on a single count of “general punishment for theft.” He was unrepresented, while Cadet ASP M. Jarju appeared for the Inspector General of Police.
According to the particulars of the offence, Keita, on 31st August 2025 in Gunjur, Kombo South, West Coast Region, stole D22,000 in cash and a Samsung mobile phone valued at D3,000, property of Mrs. Kaddy Barrow, amounting to a total of D25,000.
The charge sheet was read in English and translated into Mandinka, which the accused elected to speak. He pleaded guilty to the offence.
Narrating the facts, the prosecuting officer said the incident occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. while the complainant was on her way home. Keita approached her and offered to pray for her. During the encounter, the complainant allegedly lost consciousness and later surrendered her bag containing the cash and phone.
The accused fled but was later traced and arrested through his WhatsApp profile picture. He confessed to the offence, and no recovery of the stolen items was made.
When asked to respond to the facts, the accused, Muhammed Keita, admitted: “The facts are true and correct.”
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Sambou said the court was disturbed by the nature of the offence. “It must have taken the poor lady months to put that money together, only for you to take it away in the manner you did,” the magistrate remarked.
The court sentenced Keita to two years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, ordered him to compensate the complainant with D25,000, and imposed an additional one year in prison in default of payment. The Magistrate further directed that Keita be subjected to hard labour during his prison term while the sentences run consecutively.
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