Ousainou Bojang and his sister Amie Bojang at the high court
By Landing Ceesay
Ousainou Bojang, accused of the murder of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights, has shared details of a dispute with his white girlfriend, Claudette, allegedly over financial matters, as he continues presenting his defence in court.
Bojang is facing six charges, including the murder of the two PIU officers, while his sister, Amie Bojang, is charged as an accessory after the fact of murder.
During the last court session, Ousainou Bojang testified that he worked as a security officer at Smiling Coast Residence in Brufut. He stated that on the night of the tragic killings, he was working and engaging in a WhatsApp conversation with his boss, Kathleen Smith, who lives in the United Kingdom.
Bojang’s lawyer, Lamin J. Darboe, inquired about the conversation, asking, “You were talking about WhatsApp phone conversation with Kathleen Smith, tell the court what was your conversation with Kathleen Smith about,”
Bojang replied,”I was having a conversation with her (Kathleen Smith) about the lady I have at the lodge. The lady is the owner of the fourth apartment. I am working there as security, but my work is not only security,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.
When asked to name the woman, Bojang identified her as Claudette. He explained that he managed her apartment and had a personal relationship with her.
“You said you were doing something else at the lodge, what is that?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.”The woman is call Claudette. I have a relationship with her, and she also gave me a power of attorney for her apartment, that I am to be responsible to rent her apartment on her behalf,” Ousainou Bojang testified.
Ousainou testified in court that he rents out the apartment to holidaymakers. He also stated that he has the power of attorney granted to him by Claudette in his possession.
“The power of attorney you are talking about, do you have it?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.
“Yes, I have it and kept it somewhere,” Ousainou responded.Ousainou informed the court that there was a problem while he was managing Claudette’s apartment.
“It was a monetary issue. The tenant that was renting the apartment pays the rent, and I am the one who deposits the money to Claudette’s account. There are four apartments and each apartment makes a contribution for the maintenance of the apartment and I collect the contribution. I am the one who pays Claudette’s contribution of D6, 450.00,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.
Ousainou Bojang informed the court that the four apartment owners make this contribution on a monthly basis.
“Was there any issue about the contribution?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.
“Claudette failed in her calculations, she informed me that my friend (Famara Sarjo) calls her telling her that I mismanaged the money,” Ousainou told the court.Ousainou claimed that Claudette believed the story Famara Sarjo had told her, which became the root of their conflict.
“In my conversation with Claudette, she told me she will do something I will regret in my life,” he said.
“What does that mean?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.She said she is determined to take action, implying that she will expose me.
“What was there to expose you?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.
“Claudette and I normally have video calls, and normally during the calls we are naked, we are all naked in the videos. I called my friend Famara Sarjo and told him to stay away between me and Claudette. That is what I told him when we were having a conversation at night. So the following morning, Famara Sarjo went to the Brusubi Police Station,” Ousainou asserted.
“Did anything happen concerning the Police?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.
“He (Famara Sarjo) went to the Police Station and told them that I accused him of being the one between me and the lady,” he said.Ousainou stated that while he was at home, he received a call from Officer Seedy Sonko of the Brusubi Police Station, requesting him to come in for questioning.
“What did he call you for?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.”When Seedy Sonko calls, I went to the Brusubi Police Station. He invited me inside, and I met my friend there, who is Famara Sarjo,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.
Counsel Lamin J. Darboe then sought the court’s indulgence for the matter to be adjourned as it was already closing time.
Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, the presiding judge, then adjourned the case to the 25th of November 2024 for continuation of Ousainou Bojang’s Evidence in Chief.