Human Trafficker Sentenced

Principal Magistrate Emmanuel Nkea of Banjul Magistrate's Court, yesterday convicted and sentenced one Sulayman Jagne to 3 years in prison on count one for obtaining money by false pretence, with hard labour or an option of D10, 000 fine.

While on count two, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison with hard labour or an option of D60, 000 fine for prohibition of trafficking in person.

Mr. Sulayman Jagne who pleaded guilty to both counts was also ordered to pay a compensation of D160, 000 to the two complainants, in default to serve another 3 years in prison.

Both sentences are to run concurrently.

In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Nkea stated that the accused pleaded guilty without wasting court's time, coupled with the fact that he was a first time offender. Noting that it is the duty of the court to protect society and deter others from such act, Magistrate Nkea said the issue of human trafficking is a global problem.

According to him, something must be done to put a stop to this malpractice.

Mr. Jagne, in his plea of mitigation, told the court that he has been doing the trade for over a year with his counter-parts in Senegal.

He confessed that they have trafficked 40 people to Sweden without any problem, but he noted that they are this  time around unfortunate.

He then asked the complainants to give him time to refund them.

He further informed the court that he has five children and that he is the breadwinner of the family, and therefore begged the court to be lenient with him.

According to the particulars of offence on count one, in the month of April 2008, at Haigan Street in Banjul, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of D160, 000 from Modou Jobe and Ebrima Secka under the pretext of procuring a Swedish Visa, which he knew or have reason to believe such representation to be false.

While  count two states that in the same month and place he recruited for the purpose of transporting across the national boarder, one Modou Jobe and Ebrima Secka from The Gambia to Sweden.