On September 29, 2026, Principal Magistrate Isatou Sallah-M’bai of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court convicted and sentenced Momodou Bah to 6 years’ imprisonment for housebreaking and 5 years for theft. The sentences will run concurrently. This followed Bah’s plea of guilt to the offences contrary to Sections 256 (b) and 226 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025.
According to the court facts, on September 8, 2026, at Pipeline, the complainant, Emmanuel Tobi, left his residence for work but returned to find his house open and the convict, Momodou Bah, holding two tablets belonging to him. Tobi raised an alarm, and neighbours apprehended Bah. The stolen property, valued at D63,320, included two tablets, a Tecno mobile phone, and a calculus phone.
The court admitted the stolen property and other recovered items, including a black bag with a chisel, pliers, screwdrivers, a broken padlock, a black facial hood, and a torch light with teaser, as exhibits. In his plea of mitigation, Bah begged for mercy, citing his two wives and children who are currently not attending school due to his actions.
The magistrate considered Bah’s plea of guilt, admission of facts, and the recovery of stolen property as mitigating circumstances. However, she also took into account Bah’s previous convictions, including a 2011 conviction for shop breaking and stealing, and a 2022 conviction for breaking into a building to commit a felony and stealing.
The court considered the present offence serious, as Bah unlawfully entered a dwelling house in broad daylight and was found with the complainant’s property. The magistrate noted that previous sentences did not deter Bah from further offending and that a non-custodial sentence would not adequately reflect the gravity of the offence or serve the objectives of deterrence and community protection.
The magistrate emphasized that the court must give meaningful weight to deterrence while recognizing the possibility of rehabilitation. She stated that a custodial sentence is warranted in this case, given the seriousness of the offences and Bah’s previous convictions.
The conviction and sentencing of Momodou Bah to 6 years in prison for housebreaking and 5 years for theft reflect the court’s efforts to combat habitual offending and protect the community. The case highlights the importance of considering previous convictions and the gravity of offences when determining sentences.
Key points
- The court sentenced Momodou Bah to 6 years in prison for housebreaking and 5 years for theft, with sentences to run concurrently.
- The offences were committed on September 8, 2026, at Pipeline, and the stolen property was valued at D63,320.
- The convict, Momodou Bah, had previous convictions in 2011 and 2022 for similar offences.
