Senior Magistrate EF M’Bai of the Brikama Magistrates Court has told a Malian national that ignorance of the law is no excuse unless where the law permits it to be lawful.

Magistrate M’Bai made this statement while handing down a judgement on Abubacarr Ceesay, who pleaded guilty to illegal possession of fire arms and for unlawfully arming himself with the locally made short gun in the public, contrary to the criminal laws of The Gambia. However, the convict pleaded not guilty on the two other counts, which involve attempted robbery and unlawful assault.

Senior Magistrate M’Bai put to the convict that it is unlawful for one to possess a firearm in public. He then ploughed ahead to impose a fine of D1,000 for each of the two counts, a default on any will cost him six-month imprisonment, which shall run concurrently.

The magistrate gave an order for the pistol to be forfeited to the state adding that both sentences will run concurrently.

According to the prosecution, Abubacarr Ceesay on or about 11 October 2007 at Tanjeh Village, Kombo South, unlawfully assaulted one Cherno Jallow with an intent to rob him.

On count two, Ceesay unlawfully assaulted Cherno Jallow by hitting him with a pistol on his head, thereby inflicting a harm.

The presiding magistrate later adjourned the proceedings of the case to February 26. Police prosecutor Corporal 1320 Bojang represented the IGP.