By Dawda M. Jallow
One Mustapha Jallow was on Monday sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of stealing government property worth one million Dalasis (D1,000,000) from the National Audit Office (NAO).
The case was heard at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Sallah M’Bai. Acting on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), ASP A. Touray charged the accused with two counts: breaking into a building and committing a felony under Section 258(A) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, and theft under Section 226 of the same law.
The offences occurred on or about July 24, 2025, at Bakau in the Kanifing Municipality.
According to court records, Jallow unlawfully entered the NAO premises intending to commit a felony. He is also accused of stealing eight laptops, including two Dell laptops, one Lenovo Xi Carbon, one Lenovo T14s, one Lenovo T14 12-ger, and three other laptops in poor condition, with each item valued at D125,000, bringing the total loss to one million.
The charges were read in English and interpreted in Wolof, which the accused chose to respond in. Jallow pleaded not guilty to both counts.
In her ruling, Principal Magistrate M’Bai noted that while mitigating factors were minimal, the aggravating circumstances—including the substantial financial loss and non-recovery of the stolen property—outweighed them. She said the sentence should serve both as punishment and as a deterrent to others who might target public institutions.
Jallow was sentenced to three years imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently from the date of detention. The court also ordered him to pay D1M in compensation to the NAO, warning that failure to do so would result in an additional two-year custodial term.
The magistrate highlighted the seriousness of the offences, citing the disruption caused to the NAO’s operations and the broader implications for public accountability. “The act of breaking and entering a secured government building and the deliberate theft of critical office equipment demonstrates planning, determination, and sustained criminal intent,” she said.