By: Dawda M. Jallow
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court Monday convicted and fined Mbye Ceesay D100,000 following his guilty plea of stealing a motorbike valued at D35,000 in Kololi, Kanifing Municipality.
Magistrate F.J. Camara in delivering the verdict, ordered Ceesay to pay the D100,000 fine in default he would serve one month in prison. He was also ordered to pay D35,000 in compensation to the complainant or serve another month in prison. The court ordered that both sentences would run consecutively.
Sergeant E. Camara, representing the Inspector General of Police, charged Ceesay with theft contrary to Section 226 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on August 7, 2026, when the complainant parked his motorbike, registration number MC BJL 1002B, beside his shop in Kololi and left. Upon his return, he discovered that the motorbike was missing.
The prosecution told the court that the complainant reviewed his CCTV footage and saw Ceesay pushing the motorbike. The footage helped him identify the accused, who was wearing blue trousers, prompting him to report the matter to Kololi Police Station.
On September 22, 2026, the complainant reportedly recognized Ceesay on a Batch car travelling from Latrikunda towards Kololi Tarwan using the CCTV footage. He attempted to arrest him, but Ceesay escaped.
A few days later, Ceesay was apprehended by members of the public at Kololi Tippa Garage and taken to Kololi Police Station.
According to the prosecution, Ceesay admitted the offence and told police that he had sold the motorbike to a man identified as Badou for D3,000. The prosecution said the motorbike had not been recovered.
When the charge was read and interpreted to him in a language he understood, Ceesay pleaded guilty, saying he had taken the motorbike but that it was a mistake. He also accepted the facts presented by the prosecution.
During mitigation, Ceesay told the court that he regretted his actions and asked for forgiveness. He said he was a married man with one child.
The prosecution applied under Section 191 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the complainant to receive D35,000 in compensation.
In her judgment, Magistrate Camara said Ceesay had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, saving the court’s time. She also considered his remorse and family responsibilities, but said offenders could not be left without punishment despite deserving a second chance.
Relying on Sections 32 and 34(3) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025, the court imposed a non-custodial sentence under Section 35(1)(a) and he was accordingly sentenced.