By Dawda M. Jallow
One Lamin Dampha was yesterday arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 4,000 US dollars, equivalent to D296,000.
The case was presided over by Magistrate Binta Sowe.
Defence Counsel P. Senghore, together with A.M. Aberuba, announced their appearance on behalf of the accused person, while Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ahmed Touray represented the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The prosecution charged the accused with two counts: housebreaking, contrary to Section 256(1)(a), and stealing, contrary to Section 226 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred on 26 February 2026 at Kotu in the Kanifing Municipality. The prosecution alleged that Lamin Dampha broke into Room K912 at Kalimba Hotel with intent to commit a felony, namely stealing.
The second count stated that on the same date and place, the accused allegedly stole the sum of four thousand United States dollars ($4,000), equivalent to D296,000, the property of one Khaoula Ammi.
When the charges were read to him, the accused denied the allegations. “I did not steal any money. I was only doing my job as a house supervisor at the hotel,” he told the court.
Following his plea of “not guilty,” the court granted him bail in the sum of D310,000 or three Gambian sureties.
The sureties are required to be sworn before the court registrar and provide affidavits of means. They must also submit valid Gambian identification documents and contact details for verification.
The sureties are also required to provide clear residential addresses and guarantee the accused person’s attendance in court whenever required.
They will be liable for the bail sum if the accused absconds.
During the proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, the complainant, Khaoula Ammi, a Moroccan national who was staying at Kalimba Hotel in Kotu.
In her testimony, she said the accused was known to her because they worked at the same hotel. She alleged that between 20 and 27 January, someone entered her room using a housekeeping master card and took the money kept in her suitcase.
She said hotel management later showed her video footage which indicated that the accused had accessed the room.