Lawyer for Ousainou Seeks Recall of ACU Boss and Soldiers for Further Cross-Examination
By Landing Ceesay
Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, representing Ousainou Bojang (1st accused), has requested the court to recall Commissioner of the Police Anti-Crime Unit, Momodou Sowe, as well as Ismaila Bojang (PW1) and Bakary R. Jarju (PW2) for further cross-examination.
The First, Second, and Fifth Prosecution Witnesses had previously testified and were cross-examined regarding the deaths of two Police Officers at Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights on September 12, 2023.
PW1, Ismaila Bojang, and PW2, Bakary Jarjou, are both members of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) posted at Yundum Barracks. PW5, Momodou Sowe, is the Commissioner of the Police Anti-Crime Unit.
Counsel LJ Darboe informed the court that his client wishes to further cross-examine these witnesses.
Ousainou Bojang faces six charges, including the murder of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers. His elder sister, Amie Bojang (2nd accused), is charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder.
“My Lord, we have an application to make for the recalling of PW1, PW2, and PW5 for further cross-examination,” Counsel LJ Darboe told the court.
Darboe is seeking the court’s permission to recall these witnesses for additional cross-examination based on new information that has recently emerged and was previously unavailable to Ousainou Bojang.
The application is supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit sworn by Jarra Jeng, a Pupil Barrister at Dabanani Law Chambers in Sukuta, on behalf of Ousainou Bojang.
“Granting this Application will not in any way be prejudicial to the State. This Application is not intended to waste the time of this Honourable Court. I believe it would be in the interest of justice to grant this application,” Jarra Jeng, said in the affidavit in support of the application.
The Prosecution received the application in court and agreed to address it on the next adjourned date. Both the Prosecution and defense requested 10 minutes each to argue the application.
The case has been adjourned to July 2, 2024, for the hearing of PW13’s evidence in chief and the application.