Sukuta Police Station Officer Ordered to Produce Station Diary in Ousainou Bojang’s Trial

By Landing Ceesay 

Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of The Gambia’s High Court has directed the Station Officer of Sukuta Police Station to present the station diary in court at the next hearing of Ousainou Bojang’s murder trial.

The order came after a formal request by Lamin J. Darboe, Counsel for the accused.

Ousainou Bojang faces six charges, including the murder of Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers. His sister, Amie Bojang, is also on trial as an accessory after the fact.

Continuing his defense, Ousainou testified about events following his arrest. He stated that he was taken to his home in Brufut before being escorted to the Sukuta Police Station on the way back to the Anti-Crime Unit.

“On our way back to Anti Crime, when we reached the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights again, we drove towards Sukuta and went up to the Sukuta Police Station. We met seven people there, and those seven people were the eyewitnesses. They said those seven individuals were the ones who saw the shooter. Then they asked those seven individuals whether they knew me, and they said no, they didn’t know me. Those seven individuals were asked whether they had seen me before, and they said no, they had never seen me. They said the person they saw was a short man and was wearing a White Haftan,” Ousainou testified.

“At the Sukuta Police Station, you said seven people were detained there, if you see them would you be able to recognise them?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked. 

“Yes, if I see them I will recognize them,” Ousainou told the court. 

Ousainou further told the court that since he left the Sukuta Police Station, he had never seen those seven people. 

“Have you ever seen them at Anti Crime?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked again. 

“No, I have never seen them there, the only time I saw them was at the Sukuta Police Station,” Ousainou responded. 

It is Ousainou’s testimony that he met those seven people inside the Sukuta Police Station sitting behind bars.

“My lord, I would like to make an application for the court to order that the Sukuta Police Station produce their diary for the month of September 2023, specifically from the 10th day of September to the 30th day of September 2023,” Counsel LJ Darboe applied. 

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) A.M. Yusuf appearing for the State did not object to the application and Hon. Justice Jaiteh then granted the application. 

“The Station Officer of Sukuta Police Station in the Kombo North District of West Coast Region of the Gambia is hereby commanded in the name of the Republic to produce the Station Diary starting from the 10th of September 2023 to the 30th of September 2023 before this court on the next adjourned date,” Hon. Justice Ordered. 

Hon. Justice Jaiteh then adjourned the case to the 13th of January 2025 for the continuation of Ousainou’s defense.