Babucarr
Barry, Momodou Jallow, Yaya Jallow, Amadou Korka Jallow and Momodou Tunkara
were each sentenced to a fine of D50,000 in default to serve six months’
imprisonment by Principal Magistrate
Isatou Janneh-Njie of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court for selling commodities
above the stipulated price. The sentencing was on 1 April, 2020, following
their plea of guilt.
In
her judgment, Magistrate Janneh- Njie told the court that the offence for which
the convicts were charged attracts a fine of D500,000. She further said the
accused did not waste the time of the court and pleaded guilty, further stating
that they were first-time offenders. She noted that the convicts told the court
that they were not aware of the stipulated prices of the commodities.
“If
you know that the price of a commodity does not favour you, then you should not
buy it and sell it at a higher price. Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” she
told the court. She said that concerning
their licences, a copy of the order would be issued to the Chief Justice, the
Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Justice.
It
could be recalled that Bubacarr Barry was alleged by prosecutors to have
inflated the price of the following commodities: one gallon of cooking oil to
D1100 instead of D1075, one bag of onions to D500 instead of D475 and one tray
of eggs to D175 instead of D150. It happened at Bakoteh on 28 March, 2020.
It
was alleged that Momodou Jallow inflated the price of a bag of onions to D500
instead of D475 on the same day at Sanchaba Sulay Jobe.
Yaya
Jallow, according to the indictment, also inflated the price of one gallon of
20-litre cooking oil to D1100 instead of D1075 at Bakaoteh on the same day.
Amadou
Korka Jallow was alleged to have inflated the price of a bag of onions to D500
instead of D475 and also a 20-litre cooking oil to D1100 instead of D1075 at
Bakoteh on the same day.
The
charge sheet stated that on the same day at Bakoteh, Momodou Tunkara inflated a
tray of eggs to D175 instead of D150.
All
the items were tendered as exhibits.
They
urged the court to temper justice with mercy, as they were not aware of the
stipulated prices of the commodities.
Inspector
Ema Jallow, Sub-Inspector Jammeh and Sergeant Baba Jaiteh represented the
Inspector General of Police.
Sub-Inspector
Keita and his taskforce team, according to the prosecutors, got hold of the
businessmen.
