The CEO of Kairaba Shopping Centre has been convicted by the Kanifing Magistrate Court for overpricing essential commodities during the country’s coronavirus lockdown.

Ahmad Nehme was found guilty of selling commodities beyond the stipulated price, contrary to section 2 (2) punishable under section 7 (1) of The Essential Commodities Emergency Powers Regulations, 2020 (Made under CAP 17:04 VOL. 4 Laws of The Gambia 2009).

He was given a suspended sentence and fined D100,000. Failure to pay the fine will be six months imprisonment.

Mr. Nehme, Lebanese national, was arrested last Sunday by a team of undercover police officers after a tip off that the supermarket was taking advantage of the lockdown to inflate the prices on essential items.

Meanwhile five other Gambian traders were also convicted for overpricing and fined D50,000 each or serve six months imprisonment. 

The Gambia declared a state of emergency last Friday to combat the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic rampaging the world and introduced price control on all essential food items. 

The Barrow government warned business owners of punitive measures including jail term if they violate the price control regulation. 

The emergency order states that “any person who violates the Regulations is liable to prosecution and a fine of five hundred thousand dalasi and the immediate suspension of his or her trade license, and its revocation upon his or her conviction.”