By: Isatou Sarr
Magistrate Marcel L. Thomasi of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court delivered a decisive conviction and sentence for Matarr Jobe, a Senegalese national, for the possession of methamphetamine—an illegal substance, sentencing was passed on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
In a comprehensive judgment, Magistrate Thomasi stated that Matarr Jobe was charged with possession of a prohibited drug in violation of Section 35 (1) (b) of the Drug Control Act, as amended in 2003. The charges were clearly articulated, and upon translating it into a Wollof language which he preferred, he entered a guilty plea for himself.
The prosecution effectively outlined the circumstances leading to Jobe’s arrest at the Banjul Ferry Terminal, where he was found in possession of the prohibited drug. The prosecutor submitted unchallenged voluntary and cautionary statements, along with a 24-hour daily report and an analytical report, all of which were accepted as evidence. The methamphetamine, which consisted of 70 pills, was also acknowledged and marked as an exhibit.
Having reviewed Jobe’s guilty plea and the corroborating facts presented, Magistrate Thomasi firmly declared him guilty as charged. Consequently, a guilty verdict was pronounced for the offense of possession of a prohibited drug under Section 35 (1) (b) of the Drug Control Act as amended in 2003.
In considering Jobe’s plea in mitigation, the Magistrate noted that he had not wasted the court’s time, which granted him credit for his guilty plea.
Thus, one-third of his sentence was appropriately deducted. The law specifies that possession of such drugs incurs a minimum sentence of three years or a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand Dalasi (D250,000.00), with a sentencing range from four to seven years. As a first-time offender, however, Jobe was subjected to a more lenient sentence.
Ultimately, the court imposed a definitive sentence of two years of imprisonment or a fine of twenty thousand Dalasi (D20,000.00). Should he fail to pay the fine, he will serve the full two-year term. The court underscored the serious threat that drugs pose to society and made it clear that Jobe must accept the consequences of his actions. Upon completion of his sentence or payment of the fine, he will be handed over to the Immigration Department for deportation back to his home country, the Republic of Senegal, Dakar, as ruled by Magistrate Thomasi.
