Back and Next - Back and Next7 book vendors convicted
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrate Court has imposed fines on seven accused persons, in default to serve one year imprisonment.
The seven men were found guilty of being in possession of Gambian text books-with scribbling not for sale- belonging to the Department of State for Education. The convicts were Joseph Olasomi, Kemo Jammeh, Lamin Njie, one Victor, Simon Orgi, Sulayman Bah and one Oko.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused persons on December 7 last year, at diverse places in Greater Banjul Area and Western Region, were found selling the state text books that are not meant for sale.
A senior Education Officer bought three text books from a vendor in an area within Kanifing Municipality, which he later realised are from the Department of State for Education.
The facts revealed that the matter was reported to NIA Headquarters in Banjul that mounted an investigation into the matter, leading to the arrest of the men. During the investigation, 22 copies were found at Joseph’s store; 10 copies from Kemo Jammeh’s shop; 43 copies at Simon’s shop; three copies from Lamin Njie’s shop; 13 from Victor’s shop; 10 copies from Sulayman Bah’s shop; 37 copies from Oko’s shop, respectively.
In their plea for mitigation, the accused persons pleaded guilty and promised that, they will never engage in such illegal activity.
“We all promised to contribute to the development of the nation,” they said.
Handing down the judgement, Magistrate Jammeh emphasised that both Gambians and non-Gambians have a role to play in the socio-economic development of the country. He told the accused that the act was illegal, despite knowing that the books were not for sale.
At that juncture, Magistrate Jammeh ordered Joseph to a fine of D2,990; Kemo Jammeh received a fine of D2,300; Lamin Njie a fined of D2,150; Victor got a fine of D2,455; Simon got D3,029; Sulayman Bah was fined to D2,300; while Oko received a fine of D2,740.
Magistrate Jammeh also ordered for the immediate return of the books to the Department of State for Education.
The seven men were found guilty of being in possession of Gambian text books-with scribbling not for sale- belonging to the Department of State for Education. The convicts were Joseph Olasomi, Kemo Jammeh, Lamin Njie, one Victor, Simon Orgi, Sulayman Bah and one Oko.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused persons on December 7 last year, at diverse places in Greater Banjul Area and Western Region, were found selling the state text books that are not meant for sale.
A senior Education Officer bought three text books from a vendor in an area within Kanifing Municipality, which he later realised are from the Department of State for Education.
The facts revealed that the matter was reported to NIA Headquarters in Banjul that mounted an investigation into the matter, leading to the arrest of the men. During the investigation, 22 copies were found at Joseph’s store; 10 copies from Kemo Jammeh’s shop; 43 copies at Simon’s shop; three copies from Lamin Njie’s shop; 13 from Victor’s shop; 10 copies from Sulayman Bah’s shop; 37 copies from Oko’s shop, respectively.
In their plea for mitigation, the accused persons pleaded guilty and promised that, they will never engage in such illegal activity.
“We all promised to contribute to the development of the nation,” they said.
Handing down the judgement, Magistrate Jammeh emphasised that both Gambians and non-Gambians have a role to play in the socio-economic development of the country. He told the accused that the act was illegal, despite knowing that the books were not for sale.
At that juncture, Magistrate Jammeh ordered Joseph to a fine of D2,990; Kemo Jammeh received a fine of D2,300; Lamin Njie a fined of D2,150; Victor got a fine of D2,455; Simon got D3,029; Sulayman Bah was fined to D2,300; while Oko received a fine of D2,740.
Magistrate Jammeh also ordered for the immediate return of the books to the Department of State for Education.
Author: Written by Sheriff Janko
Source: The Daily Observer
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