By Mustapha Jarju
A Sierra Leonean Frank Gibson and a Guinean Sulayman Barry were on Monday convicted and sentenced to seven years and six years in jail, respectively following their admissions of guilt for stealing cables from vehicles that belonged to the Gambia Immigration Department (GID).
The theft occurred at the GID garage on BertilHighway on 21 October 2023.
The duo was yesterday arraigned at the KanifingMagistrates’ Court, where they pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and stealing cables worth D200,000 from three Tata buses, cables worth D90,000 from a Renault vehicle, cables valued at D50,000 from a Sprinter van, cables worth D300,000 from two minibusses, and cables worth D60,000 from a Golf type 4 vehicle.
The cables were valued at D700,000.
In her judgment, Magistrate Mben Faal handed down a seven-year jail term to Frank Gibson while she slammed a six-year jail term on Sulayman Barry.
They must each pay a compensation of D500,000 to the GID.
In his plea for mitigation, Gibson tearfully entreated the court to show him mercy as, in his words, he’s a first-time offender and had no family in The Gambia.
However, police prosecutor Jallow said the prosecution was in receipt of information that Gibson was among the beneficiaries of Bob Keita-facilitated prisoner release a few months ago.
Meanwhile, Barry in his plea for clemency said he made his first court appearance yesterday and pleaded with the court to show him mercy, promising that such will never happen again.
Prosecutor Jallow meantime applied to the court to deport Gibson upon completion of his prison term and the application was granted.