By: Fatou Krubally
Momodou Lamin Baldeh has been committed to Mile II Central Prisons after failing to comply with orders of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court following his conviction in a stealing case involving D12,575,000, Gambia Police Force (GPF) has revealed.
The police said Baldeh was convicted after legal proceedings that began in August 2024. He had been charged with one count of stealing, contrary to Section 252 of the Criminal Code, after initially pleading not guilty when the matter first came before the court on August 20, 2024.
According to the GPF, the court found Baldeh guilty at the conclusion of the trial and ordered him to pay a fine of D100,000, or serve one year in prison in default. The court also ordered him to restore D12,575,000, failing which he would serve an additional four years’ imprisonment.
The Police stated that Baldeh failed to satisfy both court orders and was subsequently committed to Mile II Central Prisons to serve the custodial sentence imposed by the court.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the GPF said the conviction followed due legal process and reflected its continued commitment to investigating criminal offences professionally and ensuring offenders were brought before the courts.
“The Gambia Police Force will continue to pursue criminal offences through professional investigation and due process, while working with relevant institutions to ensure that offenders are held accountable in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
According to the Police, the case highlights the consequences of failing to comply with court-imposed penalties following a criminal conviction.