Bangura, the accused standing trial
By Admin
The prosecution has concluded its case in the trial concerning the murder of a British woman, having presented six witnesses in a single day, including a medical doctor who conducted the post-mortem examination.
The proceedings began with testimony from a neighbor of the deceased in Brusubi. The witness described the victim as a kind and gentle person, sharing that she learned of the death on a Friday afternoon. She also recalled that on the preceding Wednesday, an unidentified tall man had visited the deceased’s residence and knocked on the door, leaving when there was no response.
The neighbor further testified that the accused was the only person she saw entering the deceased’s home on February 12, 2023. She explained that she was informed of the death via a phone call, which she relayed to her husband, who then contacted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
During questioning by CID officers, the neighbor identified the accused as the individual she had seen entering the deceased’s residence, noting his “uncomfortable and nervous” demeanor. She also confirmed that the deceased had never mentioned travelling abroad.
In cross-examination by defense lawyer F.T. Sonko, the neighbor, acknowledged her relationship with the deceased as a neighbor. She confirmed having seen the accused and the deceased together in the week before the victim’s death but denied witnessing the murder. She further explained that she did not stop the accused from entering the home due to fear, choosing instead to wait for her husband to report the incident. She also testified that the deceased rarely allowed visitors into her home.
Nichole Pammer, a friend of the deceased and a nurse from the USA, testified that she had met the victim during a visit to The Gambia in 2022. She described the deceased as kind and generous and mentioned their shared WhatsApp group. Pammer explained that she last spoke with the deceased on February 12, 2023, when she attempted to wish her a belated birthday.
After failing to reach the victim the following day, Pammer and other friends contacted the police, who initially reported waiting for mobile phone printouts. Frustrated with the lack of progress, Pammer and a friend visited the deceased’s compound, where they discovered the locked gate. Using a ladder to enter, they searched the property and found a watermark around the mouth of a septic tank. Upon closer inspection, they discovered a body inside and alerted the police.
Velma, another friend of the deceased, corroborated Pammer’s account. She testified that she had known the deceased since 2022 and described her as a supportive and friendly individual. Velma recounted the events of February 14, 2023, when she and other friends grew concerned after failing to reach the deceased. She confirmed their search of the compound and the discovery of the body in the septic tank. In cross-examination, she affirmed that she did not witness the murder.
Dr. Ousman Leigh, a pathologist at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, provided testimony regarding the post-mortem examination he conducted on the deceased. Dr. Leigh confirmed the autopsy report, which was entered into evidence without objection from the defense. He detailed the condition of the body, including decomposition and wounds such as a head injury and an externalized tongue. He explained that bleeding around the neck could have been caused by blunt force trauma and provided further medical details regarding the cause of death.
The prosecution’s final witness, Deputy Commissioner of Crime Amadou Kujabi, testified about his interactions with the accused after the arrest. Deputy Commissioner Kujabi explained that after the accused confessed, he instructed officers to search the accused’s residence, where items belonging to the deceased were recovered. He also detailed the crime scene reconstruction, which was carried out following the gathering of critical information.
A flash drive containing a video of the crime scene reconstruction was submitted into evidence by the prosecution through Deputy Commissioner Kujabi. Although the defense objected, the presiding judge admitted the video into evidence. The video, which was played in the courtroom, showed the accused explaining the sequence of events, visibly emotional with tears streaming down his face. The footage captured key moments related to the alleged crime.
With Deputy Commissioner Kujabi’s testimony and the video evidence, the prosecution rested its case. The court will now proceed with the defense’s case.