The trial involving Ousainou Bojang and her sister continues in the high court of the Gambia. It could be recall that the duo are dacing trial after being accused of shooting and killing two police officers and wounding another and adding and aberting.
Alfusainey Dari, a resident of ‘Diolulung’ in the Cassamance, Southern Senegal, who also works as a driver and garage chief testified in the police shooting case involving Ousainou Bojang.
He revealed that he knew Mama Jabbi and his encounter with Ousainou Bojang (the accused person) in September 2023.
Ousainou Bojang, a resident of Brufut, is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, committing a terrorist act and assault causing grievous bodily harm. His sister, Amie Bojang, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Alfusainey Dari recounted that Ousainou Bojang visited their garage in Diolulung and requested a seven-seater vehicle to go to Ziguinchor. However, they did not have a seven-seater available at the time, so he contacted someone named Jana and enquired about the fare, who quoted a fare of 2,500 CFA. Ousainou gave him 5,000 CFA for the fare, which was only 2,500 CFA.
He further testified while Ousainou was sitting waiting he noticed Ousainou crying, and he (Mr. Dari) inquired about the reason, to which Ousainou informed him of having an issue with his white lady. Ousainou also expressed a desire to see a fortune teller. He then suggested to him to visit Mama Jabbi, a Gambian lady residing in Diolulung and a fortune teller.
The witness said he arranged a motorcycle to take Ousainou to Mama Jabbi’s residence.
He stated that upon reaching Mama Jabbi's place, the host (compound owner) who is also hosting Mama Jabbi
called him that Ousainou was crying and talking about killing someone. He (Dari) went to check on Ousainou and asked him what happened he (Ousainou) confessed that two people died at his hands and he told Ousainou his unwilling to bear that burden.
He (Dari) was advised to report the matter to the military. Initially hesitant due to fear of mistreatment by the military, but eventually went to the head of the Senegalese Gendermarine to report and he was asked to return to the place to continue chatting with Ousainou Bojang.
He testified that when he got back Ousainou was only saying killing. He added that he later returned to the Gendarmerie and this time they came together to arrest Ousainou.
When questioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions to confirm his assertion that Ousainou told him two people had died at his hands. The witness reiterated that he met Ousainou on a Wednesday and Ousainou told him that he had killed two people the past day, Tuesday.
The witness said Ousainou was talking about “killing” and it was the reason why he returned to the Gendarmerie to come for him.
In response to queries regarding the caller from Mama Jabbi's residence, Mr Dari informed the court that it was Yaye Faal who was the landlady. He also stated that his occupation is a garage chief in Jujulung, Cassamance and the incident happened in September 2023 but he cannot remember the exact date.
Under Cross-Examination by Senior Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, the witness said he reported the matter to Ababacarr Sarr, the head of the Gendarmerie.
“When Ousainou met you at the Car Park in Diouloulou, was he crying?” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe asked.
“After he gave me the money, he started crying,” the witness said.
The witness was asked whether he made a statement to the police. He said the police asked him and he was responding to them. When asked whether he would be able to recognise the statement, he requested that it should be read to him and he would be able to tell whether it was what he told the police.
“Is it correct that you gave your telephone number to the Gambia Police?” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe asked.
“I did not give my number to anyone,” the witness said.
The witness said when he sees his mobile number he will be able to recognise it. Counsel Lamin J. Darboe requested the police statement of the witness from the Giboro Police Station. It was provided by the prosecution. The witness said he signed and thumbprint the statement.
“Is this your telephone?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“Yes, this is my telephone number but I did not give it to them (the police),” the witness said.
The witness identified the signature on the statement as his.
The statement was admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit D15.
Lawyer Darboe told the witness that he was not truthful in his testimony that Ousainou Bojang cried. The witness insisted that he swore to the Quran and he came from Casamance; and that he only narrated what he saw and heard.
“I am putting it to you that you are not speaking the truth to the court. You told the court that Ousainou said he had a problem with his white lady,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe said.
“Yes, that was what he told me at the car park. When he got to the marabout, he said two people died in his hands yesterday,” the witness said.
“You also said Ousainou looked worried that was the time you asked him what happened,” Lawyer Darboe said.
“I did not say that, say what someone said,” the witness responded.
The witness said he did not see Mama Jabbi and Yaye Faal (the landlady) recording the conversation with Ousainou. He added that the Gendarmerie did not record his statement
“In fact, you said when Ousainou arrived at Mama Jabbi's place, Mama was the one who called you and asked you to call the Gendarmerie. Is that not the case?” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe asked.
“No, it was Yaye Faal, who called me. In fact, both of them,” the witness said.
“Mama asked you to call the Gendarmerie,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe said.
“I did not call the Gendarmerie. I took a motorcycle and went there,” the witness replied.
“It was Mama who advised you to go and call the Gendermarine,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe said.
“Mama cannot ask me to do that. I don't do it. Because I don't know her, I know the Landlady,” the witness replied.
“I am putting it to you that you know Mama Jabbi very well because you are the one who directed Ousainou Bojang to go to Mama because she is a marabout,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe said.
“I don't know Mama today and I don't know her tomorrow. I know the Landlady,” the witness said.
Senior Counsel Lamin J. Darboe read a portion of the statement of the witness. He stated that he knew Mama Jabbie. The witness claimed that it was not what he told the police. He mentioned that it could be the Defence Counsel who wrote the statement.
“You said Mama didn't tell you, but in your statement, you said Mama was the one who told you to notify the Gendarmerie,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe told the witness.
“It was the landlady who said I should go to the military but I told her that I am going to Gendarmerie,” the witness said.
“I am also putting it to you that Ousainou did not give you 5,000 CFA,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe said.
“That's what Ousainou gave me,” the witness replied.
“All that you said here, other than the fact Ousainou came to Diouloulou, is a fabrication,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe told the witness.
The witness insisted that his testimony was true.
Counsel Lamin J. Darboe told the witness that Ousainou wanted to fix his relationship with his white lady and needed a fortune teller in that regard.
“I only narrated what I heard and saw,” the witness said.
“I am putting it to you that you are recruited by Mama Jabbi to come and fabricate here,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe said.
“I only said what I heard and saw,” the witness said.
Director of Public Prosecution A.M Yusuf re-examine the witness.
“Mr Dari, it is correct that before the day you met Ousainou Bojang, you had never met Mama Jabbi anywhere,” DPP Abdul Maita Yusuf asked.
“I heard Mama Jabbi is a marabout in Diouloulou, I do see her but I don't know her. Is her Land Lady that I know,” the witness replied.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday, 30 July 2024.
Follow Everyone @highlight #courtreporting #factualnews #thenationeye
No comments:
Post a Comment