Magistrate
Jagne of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court recently convicted and sentenced
Habibu Camara, Momodou Lamin Jallow, Lamin Camara and Alasana Sonko to a fine
of D5,000 each in default to serve six months in prison on count one.
The 1st accused was further fined D5,000 in default to serve six months in prison on count two, and on count three, the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5thaccused persons were fined D7,000 each in default to serve one year in prison.
This was after they pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, willful damage to property and attempts to commit a felony.
Facts narrated by police prosecutor ASP Fadera stated that it happened on 5 January 2016, at the Old Jeshwang Prison.
He said the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th accused persons were under prison custody in cell number 2, and there, they discussed how to escape from the said custody.
A guard at the prison heard a noise while he was praying, and after praying went around and suspected that something was going wrong.
As he was closing work, he alerted the incoming shift guard to be vigilant about the inmates at cell number 2.
The said guard went round for inspection, and observed that the roof of the said cell has space.
He alerted the guards’ supervisor and they went to the said cell with other officers, where they found all the accused persons in the cell.
They conducted a brief interrogation and learned that it was the 1st accused who climbed and broke the roof of the cell.
They were later transferred to Mile 2 Prisons for tight security.
A panel of seven prison officers investigated the matter, and the accused persons confessed that they conspired to escape.
They were later cautioned and charged with the offence committed.
In their plea of mitigation, they all begged the court for mercy.
The charge sheet in count one stated that the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th accused persons, on 2 January 2016 at Old Jeshwang Prison in the Kanifing Municipality, conspired to escape from prison cell number 2.
Count two stated that the 1st accused, on 5 January 2016 at Old Jeshwang Prison in the Kanifing Municipality, willfully and unlawfully damaged the roof of prison cell number 2.
Count three read that the 5th accused, on the same day and at the same place, attempted to escape from prison custody while in cell number 2.
However, the 3rd accused, Jaja Faal, denied all the counts and was remanded in custody pending the next court hearing.
The case was adjourned until 16 February 2016, for hearing to continue.
