Magistrate Olabujutu Kayode of the Kanifing Magistrates Court last Wednesday convicted and sentenced Momodou Lamin Ceesay and Lamarana Jallow to each pay a fine of D2,000 in default to serve six months imprisonment.

The two were charged with the criminal offence of forgery contrary to section 322 of the Criminal Code Laws of The Gambia. The particulars of the offence revealed that the two accused persons did on the 4th of January 2010 at the American Embassy office on  Kairaba Avenue in Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of the Gambia, with intent to deceive the consular, forged Trust Bank statement of accounts in their names in other to obtain a US visa.

They both pleaded guilty to the offence charged. Edu Gomez, counsel for the duo urged the court to temper justice with  mercy. While saying it is  true that the accused persons need some kind of punishment, he urged the court not to impose custodial sentences. The magistrate convicted and sentenced the duo accordingly.