By Dawda Jallow
A Guinean national, Momodou Bah, has been sentenced to eleven years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges of housebreaking and theft before Principal Magistrate Sallah M’bai.
Bah was convicted on two counts, namely housebreaking, contrary to Section 256(b), and theft under Section 226 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
The court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment on count one and five years on count two and they were to run concurrently.
Cadet Inspector L. Mendy represented the Inspector General of Police, while Bah appeared without legal representation.
The court heard that on 8th September 2026, in the Kanifing Municipality, Bah unlawfully broke into the house of Emmanuel Tobi with the intention of committing a felony, namely theft.
On the second count, the prosecution alleged that Bah stole two mobile phones/tablets valued at D42,320, a Tecno mobile phone valued at D15,000 and a Calculus Hot valued at D6,000, all belonging to Tobi.
The items had a combined value of D63,320.
The charges were read and interpreted to Bah in the local language of his choice. He told the court that he understood the charges before pleading guilty to both counts.
In mitigation, Bah told the court that he had two wives and children living in a rented house and was responsible for supporting his family.
He pleaded with the court for forgiveness.
However, Cadet Inspector Mendy told the court that Bah was a habitual offender, citing previous convictions in 2011 and 2022.
He said Bah was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in 2011 and, in 2022, was convicted on two counts and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on both counts.
The prosecution urged the court to take his previous convictions into consideration when determining the sentence.
In her ruling, Magistrate M’bai noted the prosecution’s submission that Bah was a habitual offender.
She, accordingly sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment on count one and five years on count two. The sentences are to run concurrently.