High Court Grants Ousainou Bojang’s Request to Further Cross-Examine Anti-Crime Unit Chief and Others
By Landing Ceesay
Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court of the Gambia has approved Ousainou Bojang’s application to recall and conduct further cross-examination of Commissioner Momodou Sowe from the Police Anti-Crime Unit (ACU), along with two members of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Ismail Bojang and Bakary R. Jarjou.
The decision by Hon. Justice Jaiteh followed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) A.M. Yusuf’s statement that he would not oppose the application.
Ousainou Bojang, the first accused, faces six charges, including the alleged murder of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers. His elder sister, Amie Bojang, the second accused, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.
During the previous court session, Ousainou Bojang’s lawyer, Lamin J. Darboe, informed the court of his client’s intention to recall three prosecution witnesses.
These witnesses include PW1 Ismaila Bojang and PW2 Bakary Jarjou, both GAF members stationed at Yundum Barracks, and PW5 Momodou Sowe, Commissioner of the Police Anti-Crime Unit.
Counsel LJ Darboe requested the court’s permission to recall these witnesses for additional cross-examination based on new information recently disclosed to Ousainou Bojang.
Supporting the application was a seven-paragraph affidavit sworn by Jarra Jeng, a Pupil Barrister at Dabanani Law Chambers in Sukuta, on behalf of Ousainou Bojang.
During Monday’s session, Counsel LJ Darboe presented the application for the court’s consideration. DPP Yusuf expressed no opposition to the request.
“We don’t intend to oppose the application, and we are ready to make available to recall witnesses for further cross-examination. They are all available right now for further cross-examination,” DPP Yusuf told the court.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh subsequently granted the application and ordered the witnesses to be recalled.
DPP Yusuf confirmed that the witnesses were present in court and available for further cross-examination.
However, Counsel LJ Darboe informed the court that the documents he intended to use for cross-examination were not with him in court. He requested an adjournment in case the Prosecution had no other witnesses to present.
DPP Yusuf stated that, apart from the recall witnesses, they had no other witnesses to present.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh then adjourned the case to Tuesday, July 9, 2024, for continuation.