Nineteen Sierra Leonean nationals were sentenced by the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Magistrate Fofona delivered the judgment, which includes a five-year jail term and subsequent deportation for the convicted individuals. Among those found guilty are Alasan Ceesay, Sulayman Koroma, Alpha Kallay, Muhammed A. Camara, Muhammed Ceesay, Samuel Koroma, Alasan Koroma, Edrissa Ceesay, Muhammed Koroma, Francis Camara, Saikou Touray, Foday Kabia, Alagie Mansaray, Alagie Mustapha Fofana, Micheal Konjoh, Joshua Samura, Abubacarr Kamara, and two minors. Alagie Mustapha Fofana stated, "We came to The Gambia in search of greener pastures, but we are not criminals."
Charges and Convictions
The accused individuals appeared before the court facing three charges: forcible detainer, entering a dwelling house with intent to commit a felony, and criminal trespass. Prosecutors alleged the group unlawfully occupied the compound of Naffie Ndow in Brusubi on July 28, 2026, without legal claim to the property. They further claimed the accused held possession of the compound in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. The individuals were charged with unlawfully entering Ndow’s house with intent to commit a felony, and with criminal trespass by entering the compound to commit an offence or to intimidate, insult, or annoy the complainant. All 19 accused pleaded guilty to the charges of forcible detainer and criminal trespass. However, they pleaded not guilty to the charge of entering a dwelling house with intent to commit a felony. Magistrate Fofona subsequently convicted all 19 accused persons on the charges to which they pleaded guilty.
Sentencing Details
Magistrate Fofona imposed a total of five years’ imprisonment on each of the 19 Sierra Leonean nationals. For the charge of forcible detainer, each individual received a mandatory two-year custodial sentence. On the separate charge of criminal trespass, a further one-year prison sentence was imposed. The court ordered these sentences to run concurrently. An additional sentence, the details of which were not specified, brought the total custodial term for each convicted person to five years.
Mitigation and Background
During mitigation, Alagie Mustapha Fofana spoke on behalf of the group, which had been found guilty of forcible detainer and criminal trespass. Fofana told the court they came to The Gambia seeking employment and had no alternative accommodation. He stated that the individuals occupied the building hoping they would eventually depart. Before moving into the property, they had been residing under a bridge until asked to vacate. Fofana asserted that none of them had engaged in criminal activity, earning their living through skilled labor. He admitted they occupied the complainant’s building without Naffie Ndow's permission, but clarified they only used it as a place to sleep at night. Fofana stated, "We came to The Gambia in search of greener pastures, but we are not criminals."
Deportation and Future
The Brusubi Magistrates’ Court ordered the deportation of all 19 convicted individuals to Sierra Leone following the completion of their sentences. The Director General of The Gambia Immigration Department received a directive to deport the convicts. The court further stipulated that the two child offenders will be detained at the Jeshwang Children Detention Centre until their sentences are served.