By: Dawda M. Jallow
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday convicted one Muhammad Ndow for assault after he admitted stabbing a man with a broken bottle during a dispute over the sale of a mobile phone.
Ndow appeared before Principal Magistrate Sallah M’bai and was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 196 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025. Sergeant 4194 appeared for the Inspector General of Police.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on 5 November 2025 at Serrekunda City Pop in the Kanifing Municipality. The court heard that Ndow stabbed the victim, Ousman Camara, on his left hand with a broken bottle, causing him injuries.
The facts presented showed that the confrontation began when Ndow approached Camara at a barbershop, offering to sell him a phone for D3,000. The victim reportedly told him he could only afford D2,000, and the two agreed on the reduced price.
However, when Ndow returned the following day demanding the phone back, Camara insisted that his D2,000 be refunded. Ndow allegedly refused, leading to a fight during which he stabbed the victim. He was subsequently arrested and charged.
When the charge was read to him in court, Ndow pleaded guilty, telling the magistrate that he acted out of “emotional control” and had no intention of seriously harming the victim. He begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
In her judgment, Principal Magistrate Sallah M’bai noted that Ndow was a first-time offender and had entered an early guilty plea, thus saving the court’s time. She, however, stressed that the seriousness of the offence required accountability.
The court ordered Ndow to pay a fine of D50,000, failing which he would serve one month in prison. He was also ordered to compensate the victim D5,000, or serve 14 days imprisonment in default.