Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court in Banjul has dismissed the appeal of Karamo Bojang, affirming his conviction and consecutive prison sentences imposed by the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court for assault causing actual bodily harm and willful damage to property.
In a judgment delivered on 18 November 2025, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh ruled that Bojang’s guilty plea at the lower court was properly taken, validly recorded, and cannot be challenged on appeal under Section 307 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025.
Bojang, who was unrepresented during his initial trial and chose to speak Mandinka, pleaded guilty after the charges were read and interpreted for him. The prosecution narrated the facts—which he admitted, resulting in his conviction.
He was handed four years’ imprisonment with hard labour for assaulting Modou Lamin Dampha with a broken bottle, and ordered to pay D75,000 in compensation or serve an additional year in default.
On a separate count of wilful damage to property involving a Redmi smartphone valued at D12,000, Bojang received one year’s imprisonment with hard labour and was ordered to pay compensation of D12,000 or serve one year in default. The sentences were to run consecutively.
In his appeal, Bojang argued that the plea-taking process was flawed and that he had not been afforded sufficient time or facilities to prepare his defense. His counsel also questioned whether the magistrate had ensured Bojang fully understood the charges and the facts presented.
However, Justice Jaiteh found that the record clearly showed the charges were explained in a language the appellant understood, the plea was voluntarily entered, and the admitted facts supported the offences charged.
The judge also criticized Bojang’s counsel, F.K. Darboe, for citing authorities without providing proper references or copies, describing the conduct as falling below acceptable professional standards. Nonetheless, the Court independently reviewed the record due to the matter involving the liberty of an accused person.
After analyzing the procedure and applicable law, the Court held that the conviction was lawful and the sentences appropriate and within legal limits.
The appeal was dismissed in full, and the conviction and sentences were upheld.
