Ousainou Bojang in court
The High Court has ordered the recall of a mobile technician to assist in unlocking the smartphone belonging to Ousainou Bojang, the man accused of fatally shooting two officers of the Gambia Police Force in September 2023.
Bojang informed the court that he was unable to access his phone due to issues with the password and linked email account. The prosecution alleges that on September 12, 2023, at Sukuta Traffic Lights, Bojang shot three police officers, resulting in the deaths of two and leaving the third critically injured. His sister, Amie Bojang, is also facing charges as an accessory after the fact. Bojang has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence.
During Monday’s proceedings, Defence Counsel Lamin J. Darboe reminded the court of a previous order requiring the Commissioner of the Anti-Crime Unit to present Bojang’s diary and other personal belongings seized during a search of his residence.
Commissioner Sowe complied with the directive and presented a list of recovered items, including a red diary.
“You mentioned a diary that was removed from your home,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe asked.
“Yes,” Ousainou replied.
“Do you recall the colour of the diary?” Counsel Darboe inquired.
“Yes, it is red,” Ousainou confirmed.
Counsel Lamin J. Darboe requested that the diary be handed to Ousainou Bojang to verify if it was the one seized from his residence. After examining it, Bojang confirmed that the diary belonged to him.
Following the confirmation, Counsel Darboe applied for the diary to be admitted as evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions, A.M. Yusuf, raised no objections, and the presiding judge, Justice Jaiteh, admitted the diary into evidence, labeling it as Exhibit D21.
Counsel Darboe then asked Bojang to review the diary (Exhibit D21) and confirm whether it contained his email address and password. After examining the contents, Bojang verified that both details were present.
Subsequently, Counsel Darboe requested that Bojang be presented with his smartphone and asked if the device resembled his own. Bojang responded that while his phone did not have a crack, the one shown in court had a noticeable crack.
Bojang further testified that when police initially confiscated his phone two years ago, all his call logs and applications were intact. However, the device presented in court appeared to have been reset.”I’m asking you to look at the phone and tell us if it resembles yours,” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe emphasized.
Ousainou examined the phone and confirmed that both his original device and the one presented in court were Spark 8 models. However, he reiterated that when the police confiscated his phone, all call logs and applications were intact, but the current device appeared to have been reset.
Counsel Lamin J. Darboe sought the court’s permission for Ousainou to enter his email address and password on the device, a request the court granted.
Despite attempting to log in using the provided credentials, Ousainou reported that he could not locate his Google account on the phone.
“How about the email account?” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe asked.
“Let me try that too,” Ousainou replied.
Ousainou made the attempt, but he informed the court that he could not find the email app.
“There is another method to try. Do you have the Google app on that phone?” Counsel Lamin J. Darboe inquired.
“Yes, I do,” Ousainou answered.
Counsel Lamin J. Darboe instructed Ousainou to try the alternative option, but Ousainou reported that the issue remained unresolved.
Subsequently, Counsel Darboe requested the court’s permission to recall the mobile technician for further assistance. The court granted the request.
The hearing has been adjourned until tomorrow at 2:15 PM.