By Landing Ceesay
Alfusainey Darrie, a driver and safety garage operator, testified in court as the Thirteenth Prosecution Witness (PW13), detailing his interactions with Ousainou Bojang, the first accused.
Alfusainey recounted to the court that he recognized Ousainou Bojang from their encounter in September 2023.
He stated that Ousainou Bojang approached him at a garage in Diouloulou, expressing his desire to travel to Ziguinchor.
“I know him (Ousainou Bojang) since September 2023. He came to the garage, said he wanted to go to Ziquinchor and wanted the seven-seater vehicle (Set Place). I told him that there is no Set Place here unless I call Janna. When I called Janna, Ousainou asked how much is the fare and I told him 2,500 CFA and Ousainou gave me 5,000 CFA. From there, he (Ousainou Bojang) sat down crying.
“When I saw him crying, I asked what was the problem. He told me that he had a problem with his White Lady. I asked if that was all, and he said yes, is that, he said yes, and I told him no problem. That was the time he (Ousainou Bojang) came and told me that he wanted to see a fortune-teller (Marabout). Then I told him that there is one lady, she is from the Gambia, and she is called Mama Jabbi. That was when I assisted him with a motor motorcycle to take him to where Mama Jabbi (PW3) was staying,” Alfusainey testified.
Alfusainey testified that upon Ousainou Bojang’s arrival at Mama Jabbi’s place, Yaye Faal, the hostess, called him.
According to Alfusainey’s testimony, Yaye Faal informed him that Ousainou Bojang had been crying since his arrival.
Alfusainey further stated that Yaye Faal mentioned Ousainou Bojang was talking about killing.
He then took a motorcycle to the location where Ousainou Bojang was staying.
“When I got there, I asked Ousainou what was happening, he told me that two people died in his hands. That was the time I told him that I could not take that responsibility. We were told to go to the military, but I told them that I was not going there. I told them that I was going to the Gendarmerie because the military beat people. I went to the Head of the Gendarmerie. He told me to go back and have a conversation with Ousainou again.
“When I got to Ousainou, the only thing he was saying was killing. That was the time I went back to the Gendermarine and I told him that Ousainou is only talking about killing. Then the Head of the Gendarmerie came with me to Diouloulou. He boarded a vehicle while wearing civilian clothes. That was the time he took Ousainou to their Gendarmerie base,” Alfusainey told the court.
Alfusainey testified that he met Ousainou Bojang on a Wednesday. During their conversation, Ousainou revealed that two people had died by his hands the previous Tuesday.
“You said it happened in September?’ Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) A.M Yusuf.
“Yes, It happened in September, but I cannot remember the exact date, but it happened on a Wednesday,” Alfusainey told the court.
Under cross-examination, Alfusainey told the court the Gendarmerie Chief he reported the matter to was Ababacarr Sarr.
“When Ousainou met you at the Car Park in Diouloulou, was he crying?” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, the Lawyer representing Ousainou Bojang asked Alfusainey.
“After he (Ousainou Bojang) gave me the money was when he started crying,” Alfusainey told the court.
When asked if he had informed the Gambian authorities about the matter, Alfusainey confirmed that he had. He explained to the court that he had reported it to the Giboro Police Station.
Alfusainey also told the court that he had both thumb-printed and signed the statement.
However, Alfusainey denied providing his telephone number to the police during his interactions with them.
“If you see that statement, would you recognise it?” Counsel LJ Darboe.
“Yes, if you read it to me, if those are the statements I said, I will accept and if they are not my statement, I will not accept it,” Alfusainey testified.
Counsel LJ Darboe subsequently presented the statement to Alfusainey for identification. Alfusainey confirmed to the court that the thumbprint, signature, and telephone number were his, but he denied having provided his telephone number to the police.
Counsel LJ Darboe then sought to submit the statement given to the police by Alfusainey Darri at the Giboro Police Station.
DPP Yusuf raised no objections to the statement’s admissibility.
Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh then accepted the statement into evidence and labeled it as Defence Exhibit 15.
“Mr. Darri, you have not been truthful to the court if you say Ousainou Bojang cried in your presence,” Counsel LJ Darboe told Alfusainey.
“I believe in the Quran, I am coming all the way from Cassamance, what I said here is what I heard and saw,” Alfusainey testified.
“I am putting it to you that you are not speaking the truth to the court. Because you told the court that Ousainou said he had a problem with his White Lady,” Counsel LJ Darboe told the witness.
“That was what he (Ousainou Bojang) told me at the garage. When he got to the marabout, he said two people died in his hands yesterday,” Alfusainey told the court.
When asked if he had recorded his interactions with Ousainou Bojang, Alfusainey stated that he did not record any of their encounters, including those that took place at Mama Jabbi’s location.
He also informed the court that he did not observe Mama Jabbi or Yaye Faal recording their interactions with Ousainou Bojang.
Additionally, Alfusainey testified that he did not see Gendarmerie Chief Ababacarr Sarr recording any interactions with Ousainou Bojang.
“In fact you said when Ousainou arrive at Mama Jabbi’s place, Mama was the one who called you and asked you to call the Gendermarine, is that not the case?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.
“No, it was Yaye Faal, who called me in fact both of them,” Alfusainey told the court.
Alfusainey testified that he did not call the Gendermarine, but took a motorcycle and went there to inform their Chief.
“It was Mama Jabbi, who advised you to go and call the Gendarmerie,” Counsel LJ Darboe told Alfusainey.
“Mama Jabbi cannot ask me to do that. Because I don’t know her, I know the Landlady (Yaye Faal),” Alfusainey told the court.
“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 LJ Darboe said to Alfusainey.
“I don’t know Mama Jabbi today and I don’t know her tomorrow. I know the Landlady (Yaye Faal),” Alfusainey testified.
Counsel LJ Darboe then read a potion in Alfusainey’s police statement to him, where he indicated that he knew Mama Jabbi.
Alfusainey however denied giving such a statement to the police regarding the matter.
“What he read is not what I told the Police. Maybe the Counsel is the one who wrote it. But I am not the one who said this,” Alfusainey told the court.
Counsel LJ Darboe again read a potion of Alfusainey’s police statement to him, where he told the police that he was the one who provided a motorcycle for Ousainou to go and see Mama Jabbi.
“Yes, I told the motorcycle driver to take him to Yaye Faal’s compound where Mama Jabbi is residing because he wanted to see a fortune-teller,” Alfusainey told the court shortly after Counsel LJ Darboe read his statement to him.
“You said Mama didn’t tell you, but in your statement, you said Mama Jabbi was the one who told you to notify the Gendarmerie,” Counsel LJ Darboe told Alfusainey.
“It was the Landlady (Yaye Faal) who said I should go to the military and I told her that I am going to Gendarmerie,” Alfusainey denied his police statement.
When Counsel LJ Darboe put it to him that Ousainou Bojang did not give him 5, 000 CFA, Alfusainey insisted that Ousainou gave him 5,000 CFA.
“All that you said here, other than the fact that Ousainou came to Diouloulou, is a fabrication,” Counsel LJ Darboe told Alfusainey.
“What I saw, what I heard, that’s what I said here,” Alfusainey responded.
“I am putting it to you that Ousainou Bojang did not tell you anything other than a marabout that will fix his relationship with his white lady,” Counsel LJ Darboe told Alfusainey.
“What I saw, what I heard, that’s what I said here,” Alfusainey testified.
“I am putting it to you that you are recruited by Mama Jabbi to come and fabricate here,” Counsel LJ Darboe testified.
“What I heard, what I saw, that is what I said here,” Alfusainey testified.
Under re-examination, Alfusainey confirmed seeing Mama Jabbi in Diouloulou but did not know her.
“Mr. Darri, it is correct that before the day you met Ousainou Bojang, you have never met with Mama Jabbi anywhere,” DPP Yusuf asked.
“I heard Mama Jabbi is a marabout in Diouloulou, I do see her, but I don’t know her. Is her Landlady that I know,” Alfusainey testified.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh then adjourned the case to the 30th of July 2024.