Fodang Touray, a security officer with the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), was on 6 June 2012 convicted and sentenced to a fine of D5,000, in default to serve six months in prison by the Brikama magistrates’ Court for theft.
According to the facts of the case as narrated by the police prosecutor, CPL 2294 Jammeh stated that it happened on 9 May 2012, at the Banjul International Airport.
He said the convicted person being a security officer at the Banjul International Airport working under the GCAA had access to all the keys of the stores of the Gambia International Airline (GIA).
CPL Jammeh further narrated that the convict then took one suitcase which contains different items valued at D19,800 and gave it to one Malamin Colley to drag it outside the airport.
He added that the said Malamin Colley was caught by one GCAA security officer, who then asked Malamin where he got the suitcase from and Malamin said the suitcase was given to him by the convict.
CPL Jammeh adduced that the convicted person was confronted by the GCAA security officers and he accepted giving the suitcase to the said Malamin to drag it outside for him.
“The convict was later taking to the Airport Police Station where he confessed stealing the said suitcase. Cautionary and voluntary statements were obtained from him,” the prosecutor stated.
The said cautionary and voluntary statements, as well as the suitcase, were tendered and marked as exhibits.
The convict in his plea of mitigation begged the court to temper justice with mercy on him, saying he was a first-time offender.
“I am married with two children who are going to school. I am the breadwinner of my family,” the convict begged the court.
