Magistrate Sagar Jahateh of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court has stressed that ignorance of the law is no excuse.

The learned magistrate made these remarks on Friday during the trial of one Abdoulie Ceesay.

On that day, the court in Banjul found Mr. Ceesay guilty of attempting to leave The Gambia with almost half a million Dalasi without the knowledge of the Supervisory Authority. 

The Banjul Magistrates’ Court fined Mr. Ceesay D10,000. If he fails to pay this fine within a specified period, the court will impose a custodial sentence of 12 months.

Evidence presented in court showed that the convict made an attempt to leave The Gambia with 44,150 Euros and 800 US Dollars.

Shortly before the outcome of the case, Ceesay pointed out that he was not aware that the act for which he was convicted was an offence but, according to Magistrate Sagar Jahateh, ignorance of the law is no excuse and therefore sentenced him accordingly.

CMC Burama Dibba represented the Inspector General of Police in the trial.