By: Alieu Jallow
Ousainou Bojang, the primary defendant in the alleged police shooting at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic light on September 12th, 2023, resulting in the murder of two police constables—Police Constable Sang J Gomez and Constable Pateh Jallow—has entered a plea of not guilty.
He faces charges including murder of Police Constable Sang J Gomez (Count One), and maliciously shooting with intent to kill Police Constable Pateh Jallow (Count Two), both contrary to Section 187 of the criminal code. Additionally, he is charged with terrorism (Count Three), attempted murder of Police Constable Ancy Jawo (Count Four), and causing grievous bodily harm and unlawful shooting of Ancy Jawo (Count Five).
The accused pleaded not guilty on all five counts, prompting the court to proceed with a plea of not guilty.
The second accused, Amie Bojang, faces a charge of being an accessory to murder (Count Six), under Section 202 of the criminal code. It is alleged that she knew Ousainou had committed murder and assisted him in escaping the jurisdiction. She, too, pleaded not guilty.
Following the not guilty pleas, the state prosecution expressed its intention to proceed with its first witness, Ismaila Bojang—a resident of Yundum and a member of the Gambia Armed Forces attached to the finance department at the training school.
Ismaila recounted the events of September 12th around 9 pm when, after training for their international mission in Turkey, he and his comrades were at Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Light to buy grilled chicken known as “Afra.” He detailed that they heard shots after one of his colleagues returned with the Afra, initially thinking it was a negligent discharge. Upon investigation, they found one officer on the ground with a rifle.
“The second officer attempted to disarm the shooter and was shot in the chest,” Ismaila told the court. They pursued the shooter, who fired another round to deter them. Due to poor visibility and darkness, they had to end their pursuit. Ismaila described the shooter as taller, with bowlegs, wearing a yellowish shirt and three-quarter trousers.
The counsel for the first accused, Counsel Darboe, objected to the witness’s testimony, stating it lacked evidence and was based on opinion. The state prosecution countered, emphasizing that the witness, being a member of the security forces on the ground, had a considerable distance.
The case is adjourned to October 30th, 2023.
