Ousainou Bojang at court
By Landing Ceesay
Ousainou Bojang, currently facing multiple criminal charges related to the tragic murder of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers at the Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Lights, recounted in court how a marabout, Mama Jabbi, accused him of the killings during an encounter in Diouloulou, a village in Casamance, Southern Senegal.
Testifying in his defense before the High Court of The Gambia, Ousainou detailed his journey to Casamance with his elder sister, Amie Bojang, who is also a co-accused in the case. He explained the circumstances surrounding their trip and the events that unfolded during their stay.
Ousainou also revealed that prior to their departure, he had contacted Seedy Sonko, a police officer stationed at Brusubi Police Station, to inquire about explicit videos of him that had been circulating on social media. According to his testimony, Officer Sonko acknowledged the existence of the videos and offered advice.He also testified that Sonko advised him to stay away from public places and vehicles.
“After that, I called my sister, Amie Bojang (2nd accused person) and I told her about my conversation with Seedy Sonko, the police officer. I told her that Seedy Sonko said, it is true; that he also saw my naked video and advised me to avoid public places and public vehicles,” Ousainou told the court.
Ousainou said he informed Amie Bojang that, he could not wait for their eldest sister to take him to Cassamance. He told Amie that he wanted to go to Cassamance by himself and then asked where she was.
He said Amie Bojang told him that she was at the Brikama Market.
“Then I told her (Amie Bojang) that when she is done shopping, she can take a vehicle and meet me at Brufut. She said I should pay for transportation and meet her at Brikama. That was when I told her, no, I cannot board a public vehicle because the police officer advised me not to do so. That was when my sister took a vehicle and met me in Brufut. When we met in Brufut, it was around 11 O’clock. Then I boarded the same vehicle with her, and we went together.
“On our way, I was chatting with the driver and my sister, while we were driving to Brikama. Then at the Sukuta Jabang traffic Lights, we met police officers conducting a search; that was when they stopped the vehicle, searched the car and allowed us to pass. That was when the driver informed us that some police officers were killed there last night. Then I told the driver that I heard about it. We drove up to the airport junction and took a bend to go to Brikama. When we reached my sister’s junction around New Yundum, she wanted to get off, and I begged her to accompany me to the border. That was when we proceeded to Brikama,” he testified.
Upon arriving in Brikama, Ousainou recounted that Amie suggested he board a public vehicle to Giboro, near the border. However, he declined, explaining that he couldn’t do so due to advice he had received from Police Officer Seedy Sonko, prompted by the circulation of his nude videos on social media.
Ousainou told his sister that the situation was humiliating, and he didn’t want to leave the taxi to join a public vehicle. Instead, he requested the taxi driver to take them directly to Giboro. The driver agreed but charged an additional fee. Ousainou testified that he offered to cover the extra cost, after which the driver continued to the border.
Upon reaching the border, Ousainou described a small garage where three vehicles were parked. Opposite the garage, he noticed a few motorbikes. He then took out D2,400 from his bag, counted it, and handed it to the taxi driver as payment.
“After I paid the taxi driver, my sister called the motorbike rider. Then she told the bike rider that we needed a motorbike that could take us to Cassamance. The bike rider then said the fee was D250. Then I told my sister, don’t worry, I will pay the money because I had D300. Then I gave him the D300 and asked for a D50 change, but he didn’t have the change. Then I told him to take the D300. My sister also told him to take the D300.
“When I paid him the money, he told me to cross the road and wait for him on the motorbike whilst he went for his jacket. I stood around the motorbike and he went to wear his jacket. Then later he came back and met me there. He started the bike and told me to climb the bike. I rode the bike with him and we went together to Casamance. He took me to the garage, but on our way, I took my phone and called my sister (Amie Bojang), but she did not pick up. So she called me back, and I told her that I had left my smartphone in the Parlor, where I plugged it into the charger. I told her to inform my brother to unplug the smartphone and keep it for me,” Ousainou Bojang testified.
Ousainou recounted that upon arriving in Diouloulou, the motorcyclist guided him to the garage and pointed out where the Chef de Garage typically sat. He approached the spot and inquired if there was a vehicle heading to Ziguinchor. The Chef de Garage confirmed that there was indeed a vehicle available.
Ousainou asked about the fare and was informed it was 2,500 CFA. He explained that he only had Gambian dalasis and asked if they would accept it as payment, but the Chef de Garage declined, stating they did not accept dalasi currency.
He was then directed to a Mauritanian shop, where he exchanged D1,400 for Senegalese CFA, receiving a total of 12,500 CFA.
Returning to the Chef de Garage, Ousainou handed over the 2,500 CFA fare and was issued a ticket. He then sat near the Chef de Garage, who pointed out the vehicle he would be taking to Ziguinchor.
“Then I asked, when is this vehicle going to be full? He told me it depended on the time customers would come because the place was lonely. Then I told him I was in a hurry to go because I had a little problem. Chef de Garage asked what the problem was. That was when I asked whether he knew any Marabout around that area. I also asked if he knew any Marabout who knew how to work with regard to the white people’s affairs. Chef de Garage told me that he knew and asked what had happened. I told him I had an issue with my white woman, and then I told him the white woman exposed me, and now I am looking for a marabout that can help me with charity and prayers.
“He (Chef de garage) then said, he knows a marabout and is not far from where we were. He told me that the Marabout is very good with it and is actually from the Gambia. Then I told him to help take me to the Marabout before the vehicle was full. He called the motorcyclist and told him to come. When the motorcyclist came, he told him to take me to Sanyang Kunda; there was a Marabout. Her name was Mama. He said he would call Ya Faal before we get there. Ya Faal is the woman who is staying in the compound where I was directed to go. Then I went with the motorcyclist to Sanyang Kunda,” he said.
Ousainou also testified that the motorcyclist directed him to the compound, and they went there together. Upon arrival, they found Ya Faal cooking, with another woman sitting behind her, who was later identified as Mama Jabbi, a self-proclaimed Marabout.
“That was when the motorcyclist told Ya Faal, that Alfusainey was the one that directed him there to bring me. Ya Faal then said she spoke with him on the phone. Ya Faal offered me a seat and told me to sit down. As I was sitting down, there was a guy that was beside me performing ablution; I told the guy to give me the kettle when he is done so I could also perform ablution and pray. After performing the ablution, I approached Ya Faal and asked her if I could have a prayer mat to pray. She directed me to the parlour and gave me a prayer mat. Ya Faal told me that I could pray at the Parlour.
“I prayed there and after praying, I was doing some zikr. While I was doing the Zikr, the second woman (Mama Jabbi) that I met there came to the door and was standing at the door holding two phones. When I put my head up, we made eye contact, and she left the door and moved hurriedly. I don’t know what she was doin.g I heard Ya Faal call and tell her that Alfusainey, the Chef de Garage called informing her that I was the one looking for her to help me to do Listakarr for me, and she replied that she was coming to do it.
“Then she (Mama Jabbi) walked into the place where I was sitting on the mat and sat beside me holding a bucket. She pulled out cowry shells and asked what my problem was; I told her that I had an issue with my white woman. She first asked my name before asking the previous question. I told her my name, and she asked where I came from. I told her I was from the Gambia, and then she asked what was the problem and why I was there. I told her that I had an issue with my white woman. I told her that the time I knew the white woman, she was with someone and that individual disappointed her. I told her that because of that stress, she even had to close her apartment and give away all the things that were in her apartment,” Ousainou told the court.
Ousainou testified that he explained to Mama Jabbi that it was during that time he developed a relationship with the white woman. He shared that she initially bought him a vehicle before returning to England.
Ousainou further stated that after her return to England, she sent him money to furnish her apartment.”I told her (Mama Jabbi) that I later had issues with my white woman about money. It was my friend who informed or told her that I was mismanaging her money. That’s what I explained to the female marabout (Mama Jabbi), and that was what I explained to the chef de Garage because he was the one who directed me to her. She said that’s not a problem. She will do a listakarr for me. She then pulled out the cowrie shells; after rubbing them in her hands, she threw them in the water. She then told me, yes, it is true you are really under a betrayal. She told me that the betrayal I had was from my friend and it was my friend that was involved in it, and I told her, yes, that was true.
“She (Mama Jabbi) then pulled the cowrie shells for the second time, wrapped them in her hands, and dropped them in the bucket. She then told me again that I was really under a betrayal and there are a lot of people that are after me. I asked what type of people, she said a lot of people. It was at that moment that the Chef de Garage arrived at the compound to inform us that the car was full. Then Mama Jabbi asked whether I was not aware of what happened in the Gambia. Then I asked Where in the Gambia and what, and she said the people that were killed yesterday. Then I said, yes, I am aware of it, she said to me you know something about this, are you sure you are not the one who shot them and then decided to leave the Gambia and come to Cassamance? I said, no, and she said that is not true,” Ousainou told the court.
Ousainou also told the court that he had informed Mama Jabbi that he was speaking the truth, explaining that the issue he had with his white partner was the reason he was in Cassamance. However, Mama Jabbi began shouting so loudly that he couldn’t make sense of what she was saying.
Ousainou stated that it was during this outburst that Mama Jabbi accused him of being the one who killed those people, but he denied the accusation. He further mentioned that while he was denying it, the Chef in the garage was present and heard everything.”That was when she (Mama Jabbi) picked up the phone and faced me. I told her, don’t video tape me. Then the Chef de Garage told me, she was not filming me. I told the chef de Garage to please talk to her and let her not to record me. That was when Mama Jabbi said, you people, what did you do to Barrow? And then I said, I didn’t do anything to Barrow. I said to her that what I had explained to her was very clear; that I had an issue with my white woman, and that is why I was there. The Chef de Garage asked me how I knew the white woman, and I told him that at the time I knew her, she had issues with her ex, and then she was angry and threw out all her property and gave it away. It was after that she bought me a vehicle and then moved back to the UK. She then sent me money to furnish the house.
“That was when the chef de Garage asked me, what type of vehicle do I have? I told the Chef de Garage that my car was a Peugeot 406. The chef de Garage asked when I was coming and which road I use. I told him that I took a vehicle and went all the way from Brufut to Brikama. But the woman (Mama Jabbi) was just shouting and the phone was ringing. That was when the chef de Garage told Mama Jabbi to just listen. He told Mama Jabbi that, I don’t have any problem. He told her that I came and met him at the garage and told him my problem, and he directed me to her. When the chef de Garage said that, Mama Jabbi was not willing to listen. She just picked up her phone and left,” Ousainou said.
Ousainou explained that when Mama Jabbi left, he was unsure of what she was doing outside, but noticed that the chef de Garage had also followed her. He mentioned that both of them were outside while he remained seated in the parlour for nearly three hours without seeing them.
Ousainou further stated that it was during this time that Ya Faal called him and instructed him to sit outside, as the Chef de Garage would come to get him. He told the court that, while sitting outside, Mama Jabbi returned accompanied by four gentlemen.
Ousainou recalled that Mama Jabbi pointed at him and said, “That’s him.” When he asked what was happening, the first man to respond told him to say nothing and simply get up and go with them.”I asked what the problem was, and they told me that Mama Jabbi reported me to them. Then the guy introduced himself as Senegalese police, that I should get up and go with them. And I said, okay, no problem, let’s go. I followed them and we boarded their vehicle. They took me to their camp on the way like the main way. They took me from the village to their camp, invited me into their office, and asked me to sit down. They said Mama Jabbi brought a report about me to them that the people that were killed in the Gambia, I know something about them.
“Then I told him, no, that’s not true. The head there said that when someone kills people when they see you, they know and that he knows that I did not do anything, and I did not kill anyone. But Mama Jabbi came there before me and called the Gambia police. The head there said the Gambia Police called them to hold me there because they needed me and they were on the way coming.
“Then, as I was sitting with the Senegalese police officer, the police officer asked what made me leave the Gambia and come there. I told him that I had an issue with my white woman. That was the reason why I left the Gambia to come and see a marabout, and when I got there, it was the chef de garage who directed me to Mama Jabbi. Because he told me he knows a marabout. He directed me to Mama Jabbi, who was the marabou, but when I got to her, what I told her and what she was saying was different. The guy said, okay no problem. That was when they told me to just be calm,”
Ousainou testified that he was informed that The Gambia police were coming for him, and upon their arrival, he would be handed over to them.
He explained that when the Gambian police arrived with around five vehicles, they found him sitting in the office. They attempted to rush in, but a senior Senegalese police officer stopped them, instructing them to wait outside.
Ousainou further stated that when the PIU officers saw him, some of them shook their heads. He told them that the accusations made by Mama Jabbi against him were untrue.
He also mentioned a police officer named Yero Saidy, who had been with him at the Senegambia police station on a Tuesday morning. Ousainou clarified that he went to the Senegambia Police to explain an issue he had with his white partner and to file a complaint.
According to Ousainou, it was Yero Saidy who arrived with a large group of police officers, including anti-crime commissioners.
Ousainou testified that he was eventually handed over to the Gambian police, but not at the camp. He was taken to Giboro, where he was dropped off and handed over to the Gambian officers.
“When I was handed over to the Gambia police, the Gambia police commissioner then told me to board his vehicle. When I board the vehicle, I found in it four other individuals in it including the driver. They were Commissioner Sowe, Oli Bobb, Lamin Cham and the driver. Some officers were sitting behind the pick-up where Yero Saidy and others were. On our way to Giboro, my phone rang; Lamin Cham took the phone from me and answer it. The person who was calling Lamin Cham told him I could not talk on the phone, and then he hung up. He then removed his phone, showed one picture, and said, wow, this woman (Mama Jabbi) is fast; she didn’t even wait for us to do our work; she has already posted this man’s picture on social media.
“It was then that I realized when I was sitting after praying while doing the Zikri, the woman (Mama Jabbi) took photos of me. Because in the picture I was sitting on the mat and doing zikri. It was at that moment that Commissioner Sowe told me not to be scared of anything. They were there to save me from what I had been accused of, and the only thing he could tell me was just to accept it. I told him no, that is not true. The only problem that I know of is the issue I have with my white woman. It is because of the issue I have with her. That is why I left the Gambia and went to Casamance, and he asked what the problem was. I told him she exposed my naked pictures, and that is why I am on a journey to go and look for prayers and look for charity,” he testified.
Ousainou stated that Commissioner Sowe told him he was unwilling to tell the truth, to which Ousainou responded by assuring Sowe that he was, in fact, telling the truth.
Ousainou also mentioned that he informed Commissioner Sowe that his account differed entirely from what Mama Jabbi had said.”Then he asked if I had evidence about my issue with the white woman. I told him I had it on my phone, but my phone was not with me. If I had my phone, you would see the issues that I had with her in our conversation, and then you would know where I was last night. Because I was at my workplace. I also told him that this Yero Saidy, who was sitting behind the pickup on a Tuesday, I was at his office. If you ask him, he would tell you yes, it’s true that this gentleman came to my office with regards to the issue he had with his white woman. Commissioner Sowe then told me okay, let’s go since you’re not willing to tell the truth. If we reach the anti-crime base, then you will defecate the bullet. Then I was quiet and I didn’t say anything again,” Ousainou testified.