By Sainabou Sambou
The High Court in Banjul has sentenced Lamin Sandeng and Ebrima Jallow to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment each after convicting them of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery in a violent Serrekunda street attack in September 2022.
Justice S.K. Jobarteh handed down the sentences on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, ordering that the terms run concurrently, meaning the two men will each serve an effective 10-year jail term starting from 7 October 2022.
The court found the pair guilty on both counts following a full trial. They were accused of attacking complainant Ebou Njie near City Pop in Serrekunda on 30 September 2022. Prosecutors said one of the men held Njie by the neck and twisted his arm while the other robbed him of two mobile phones (Tecno Pop 3 and Nokia/Microsoft Windows), D5,040 in cash, his identity card and voter’s card. A knife was allegedly used to intimidate the victim.
Police arrested the duo later that night at City Pub based on an informant’s tip. Recovered evidence included the Microsoft Windows phone with its distinctive cracked white cover. Both accused gave cautionary and voluntary statements confessing to the crime, admitting they shared the stolen money and disposed of the phones.
Despite claiming they were wrongly arrested, beaten and forced to sign statements, Justice Jobarteh rejected their defense. The judge ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, citing consistent confessional statements, recovery of the stolen phone, and the complainant’s testimony. The court also dismissed arguments over identification, noting street lights were on despite the rain.
Before passing the sentence, defense counsel pleaded for leniency, describing the convicts as young first-time offenders with families to support. Justice Jobarteh acknowledged their age and potential for rehabilitation but emphasized the seriousness of armed robbery and the need to deter street crime in the Kanifing Municipality.
Each man received four years for conspiracy to commit a felony and ten years for robbery. Because the sentences run concurrently, both will spend exactly 10 years in jail, minus any remission for good behavior.
The convicts were reminded of their right to appeal their convictions and sentences.
