Admin
The cross-examination of Ousainou Bojang, the man accused of fatally shooting two police officers at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic post on September 12, 2023, continued on Monday as prosecutors sought to undermine his testimony.
Bojang, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, faced rigorous questioning from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), A.M. Yusuf, regarding his movements and communications in the hours and days following the shooting.
One of the prosecution’s main lines of inquiry centered on Bojang’s phone records. Yusuf pressed him on whether he recalled calling Ousman Manneh on the morning of September 13, 2023. Bojang responded that he could not remember, as he had spoken to numerous people that day.
The DPP then questioned Bojang about a call he made to his sister on the same day, asking him to specify the time. Bojang stated that he had last spoken to her at 11 a.m. but had also called her earlier in the morning. When asked which phone he used, he said he had used a basic mobile device, as his smartphone had a low battery.
Yusuf continued to probe Bojang on his interactions with Manneh, a Criminal Investigation Department officer. “How many times did you call Ousman Manneh between September 10 and September 13?” Yusuf asked. Bojang replied that he could not remember. The prosecutor then suggested that Bojang had called Manneh up to ten times during that period.
Bojang insisted that he met Manneh only once, on the evening of September 12, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Yusuf, however, countered that phone records indicated he had called Manneh the following morning. Bojang conceded that it was possible, reiterating that he had spoken to many people that day.
“On September 13, when you got close to Casamance, where was your destination,”? DPP asked.”On that journey, I was going to Ziguinchor. When I reached Jululung, I sat with the chief of the garage, and we were chatting,” Ousainou replied.
The DPP asked Ousainou if he had family in Ziguinchor, to which he responded affirmatively. The DPP then inquired whether he had informed them of his visit, but Ousainou replied that he had not, explaining that his trip was for personal reasons.
Further, the DPP asked if Ousainou had a sister in Ziguinchor. Ousainou clarified that while his sister had been in Kolda at that time, she was in The Gambia during his travels.The DPP continued, “So your sister did not know you were going there?” Ousainou responded, “No.”
The DPP directed his attention to a newspaper containing a government press statement at Mile 2. Ousainou confirmed this, stating that while he could not recall the exact time his lawyer had given him the newspaper, it was during his stay at Mile 2.
“How many newspapers did he give you?” the DPP asked.
“There were many,” Ousainou replied.
The DPP then questioned whether he had received all the newspapers on the same day.
“Yes, I got them all at once,” Ousainou confirmed.The DPP then revisited September 12, 2023, inquiring about Ousainou’s conversations with his brother, Pa Bojang, and Sulayman, followed by a chat with his white girlfriend. Ousainou denied communicating with his white girlfriend, clarifying that he was actually speaking with his boss, Catherine. He further explained that at the time, he was experiencing issues with his white girlfriend, who had not been responding to his messages or calls.
“When was the last time you spoke with her?” the DPP asked. Ousainou replied that it was on Monday.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) questioned Ousainou about his experience on the day he was taken to Mile 2, specifically asking if he was with L. Sowe. In response, Ousainou stated that he was taken to an office labeled “Operation Command,” where he encountered an officer named Director L. Sowe and Deputy Director Keita Saidy.
The DPP then inquired, “After your arrest, how many times did you receive visitors?” Ousainou replied, “I had visitors every day.” The DPP further questioned how frequently he received visitors after being arraigned in court, to which Ousainou reiterated that he had visitors daily.
Regarding legal representation, the DPP asked when Ousainou first met with his lawyer. Ousainou responded that his first meeting took place when the police took him to the Yundum Airport police station.
At this juncture, the DPP requested an adjournment, stating that he required the records of previous proceedings to continue his cross-examination. The court assured him that the records would be provided. Consequently, the case was adjourned to March 24 at 2:15 PM, March 25 at 2:15 PM, April 7 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, April 8 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and April 14 at 2:15 PM.
The cross-examination is set to continue, with further witness testimonies and legal arguments expected as the court seeks to uncover the truth behind the tragic events of the September 12 police shooting and killing.