The convicts: Mr. Bakary Jarju an insurance agent, Muhammed Tunkara, , Ebrima Colley, Haddy Sonko all clearing agents were dragged to court by the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) through its Legal Department.
They were sentenced over violation of Customs and Excise Act.
They were alleged to have illegally made and falsified customs entry to clear a vehicle marked Nissan Rogue from the Seaport by fraudulent means and without the payment of customs duties, thereby committed an offence.
The convicts, prior to their sentencing were arrested, investigated by GRA Mobile Brigade and then later dragged to court, charged on three counts.
According to the statement of offence, the four accused persons jointly contravened the provision of the Customs and Excise Act, 2010, contrary to section 234 of the Customs and Excise Act, 2010.
The particulars of offence indicated that the four on the 29th day of January 2023 in Banjul City and diverse places in the Republic of The Gambia, assembled amongst themselves and contravened the provision of the Customs and Excise Act, 2010, by making a false customs entry to clear a vehicle marked Nissan Rogue illegally from the sea port by fraudulent means and without the payment of customs duties thereby committed an offence.
After reading the charges to the accused persons, they all pleaded guilty to the various offence charged against them.
Thus, the presiding Magistrate Krubally subsequently sentenced them jointly to a fine of one D1 million in default to serve one year in jail.
The Gambia Revenue Authority was represented by Mariama Sowe, a legal officer working at the Authority’s Legal Department.
