Ousainou Bojang Begins His Defence, Explains His Whereabouts on Night of Police Officers’ Killings

Ousainou Bojang and his sister Amie Bojang at the high court in Banjul

By Landing Ceesay

Ousainou Bojang, who stands accused of the murder of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights, began his defence in court on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. He explained that on the night of the incident, he was working as a security officer at Smiling Coast Residence.
Bojang faces six charges, including the murder of the two PIU officers, while his sister, Amie Bojang, is charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder.

After the testimony of 12 prosecution witnesses, Bojang took the stand in his defence. He told the court that on September 12, 2023, the day the officers were killed, he was in Brufut.

“Were you in Brufut the whole time on the 12th of September 2023?” his lawyer, Lamin J. Darboe, asked.

Bojang responded that in the morning, he went out but returned to Brufut around 5 p.m. and did not leave again for the rest of the day.

“In the morning, I went out,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.Ousainou, however, told the court that he returned to Brufut at around 5 pm, and since then hasn’t gone outside Brufut.

“Did you go anywhere after 5 pm that day?,” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.

“No, I did not go out, I only went to work within Brufut,” Ousainou testified.Bojang further explained that his workplace was next to his family’s compound in Brufut, separated only by a fence. When asked the name of the lodge where he worked, Bojang confirmed it was called Smiling Coast Residence.

“Does your workplace have a name?,” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.

“Yes, it is a lodge,” Ousainou responded.

“What is the name of the lodge?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked again.

“The lodge is called Smiling Coast Residence,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.Ousainou informed the court that on the night of September 12, 2023, he began his shift at 7 pm. He stated that Famara Badjie was the colleague he relieved at work that evening.

Ousainou further explained that his shift ran from 7 pm on September 12, 2023, to 7 am the following day, September 13, 2023.

When asked about his role at the Smiling Coast Residence, Ousainou clarified that he worked as a security officer there.

He also testified that he was present at his workplace from 7 pm to 11 pm on September 12, 2023, before stepping out to buy dinner and credit.

“Where is that shop located?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.

“It is not far from where I work, it is just four compounds between the shop and my workplace,” Ousainou said.

“Do you recall how long that takes you?,” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.”I did not stay long because some brothers were sitting at the main gate. My brother was among them, including Famara Bojang, Bakary Jarju, Junior and Kalu,” Ousainou said.

When asked if he had any connection to the individuals sitting at the main gate, Ousainou confirmed and explained to the court that as he was heading to the shop, he had asked them to keep an eye on his workplace for him.

Additionally, Ousainou informed the court that on his way to the shop, he had called Famara Bojang to oversee his workplace, as he had locked the back gate.

“I told them to look at the gate for me while I went to the shop. However, I found them seated and watching something on Junior’s phone. He (Famara Bojang) told me I could go, and he also told me that they saw something very strange on Junior’s phone. Before I left, I asked what it was, and he told me to come and look for myself because they had shot down some police officers. Then I told him that it was a serious issue. Then I reminded him (Famara Bojang) again to look at the place for me while I rushed to the shop. Then I proceeded to the shop, bought my dinner and credit, and went back and asked my brother Famara as to whether Pap was inside the compound.

“Then he (Famara Bojang) told me, yes; Pap was inside. Then I went inside and saw Pap, and we had dinner together. Then, after that, I went out of the compound and went back to my workplace. I left Famara Bojang and his friends sitting outside. At my workplace, there are apartments for rent, and tenants are occupying the place. Sulayman, who is one of the occupants of that building, came out and went to the shop. I asked him whether they were not going out, and Sulayman responded by saying that he was just going to the shop and coming back. Then, I advised him to be very careful because it is just recently we saw on Junior’s phone that police officers were shot with a gun and killed,” Ousainou told the court.

When asked the name of the shopkeeper, he went to buy dinner and credit; Ousainou Bojang told the court that the shopkeeper’s name was Lamarana Jallow.

“After speaking to Sulayman, did anything happen?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.

“After a conversation with Sulayman, I was on my phone chatting on WhatsApp with my boss who resides in the United Kingdom,” Ousainou testified.

“What is the name of your boss?,” Counsel LJ Darboe asked.

“Her name is Kathleen Smith,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.

Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, the Judge presiding over the case then adjourned the case to today for continuation.