On the first count, Musa Ceesay was charged with arson, contrary to Section 305 of the Criminal Code Cap. 10:01 Vol. III Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009.
The prosecution alleged that on or about 20 August 2024 at Sukuta in the West Coast Region, within the jurisdiction of the High Court, the accused willfully and unlawfully set fire to the house belonging to Jainaba Janneh.
On the second count, he was charged with attempted murder, contrary to Section 200 of the Criminal Code Cap. 10:01 Vol. III Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009.
Prosecutors alleged that on the same date and place, Musa Ceesay attempted to cause the death of his mother.
When the charges were read before the court, the accused pleaded guilty.
State Counsel A. Badjie, representing the prosecution, narrated the facts of the case, stating that Musa Ceesay willfully and unlawfully set fire to the house of Jainaba Janneh.
During the proceedings, the prosecution also tendered photographs of the burnt house, which were said to have been taken after the building was set on fire . The images were admitted into evidence without objection from the defence.
The defence counsel, F.C. Anyanwu, did not challenge the evidence but instead made a plea in mitigation. He urged the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that the accused was a first-time offender
Delivering judgment, Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh convicted Musa Ceesay based on his guilty plea. In her ruling, the judge noted that the offence was serious and condemnable. She said the appropriate sentence would ordinarily have been two years’ imprisonment.
However, the court took into account several mitigating factors, including the fact that the accused pleaded guilty, showed remorse, and did not waste the court’s time. The judge also considered that he is a young man.
Invoking her discretion under Section 229(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Justice Jobarteh sentenced Musa Ceesay to one year and six months imprisonment.
