Njoba Bah, the Alkalo of Jalamba village in Western Region, was yesterday arraigned at the Brikama Magistrates' Court, charged with criminal trespass on the President's land, a charge to which he pleaded guilty.
According to the particulars of offence "between 2003 to 2009, he entered onto a piece of land, measuring about 1000 meters by 500 meters, situated at Jamburr boarder, Jamburr rice field, Nyambia Forest Park, Herico settlement and some farm lands, by allocating the said piece of land to various persons to erect buildings, structures therein with intent to annoy the owner."
In narrating the facts, the Director of Public Prosecution, R.H. Chenge, said that the community of Santang Juba in Jamburr village, headed by one Kebba Wuday Bojang, gave a piece of land to the President in 2003 and perfected the title in 2005. He said that when the land was surveyed it was an empty piece of land and the President then took possession and allowed the women society to farm on it.
He adduced that the accused then went on to sell a portion of the land to various people.
The accused, who admitted the offence, testified that the facts as narrated are all correct and true.
At this juncture, Alkalo Bah's lawyer, Lamin Mboge, urged the court to temper justice with mercy by not imposing custodial sentence on the accused.
He noted that the accused is a family man and an old man, with lots of dependants, adding that he is not only a compound head but a village head.
Magistrate Emmanuel Amadi adjourned the case to Tuesday 12th January 2010 for judgment.
Meanwhile, the accused was remanded in custody until the next adjourned date.
