Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The state has withdrawn its attempt to block the release of Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang, in a dramatic reversal that followed public protests and mounting criticism over what many observers described as a refusal to comply with a High Court order reminiscent of practices during the era of former ruler Yahya Jammeh.
In a Notice of Withdrawal filed before the High Court’s Criminal Division in Banjul, State Counsel A. Drammeh, acting for the Director of Public Prosecutions, formally withdrew two applications filed on March 31, 2026.
The applications included a motion ex-parte seeking an interim stay of execution of the bail order and a motion on notice seeking to stay the execution of the bail order pending the hearing of the state’s appeal against the High Court’s judgment acquitting the siblings.
The withdrawal applies to both Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang.
Protest Pressure
The government’s decision came hours after tensions erupted in Brufut, the hometown of Ousainou Bojang, where young demonstrators clashed sporadically with detachments of the Police Intervention Unit.
The gathering had been called by the civil society group Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), which urged supporters to stage a peaceful protest over the continued detention of the siblings despite their acquittal by the High Court.
Critics had sharply condemned the state’s earlier move to block the implementation of the court order, arguing that refusing to immediately comply with a judicial ruling raised troubling questions about respect for the rule of law and echoed controversial practices associated with the Jammeh era, when court decisions were at times ignored or circumvented.
The withdrawal is widely viewed as a U-turn by the authorities following public backlash and unrest surrounding the decision.
Appeal Against Acquittal
Earlier on Wednesday, the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice confirmed that the state has filed an appeal against the High Court judgment delivered on March 30, 2026, which acquitted and discharged the two defendants.
According to the government, the appeal was lodged after a review of the judgment revealed dissatisfaction with the trial court’s assessment of the evidence.
“Having carefully reviewed the judgment, the Attorney General’s Chambers is dissatisfied with the judgment, particularly in the trial court’s evaluation of the evidence and the conclusion reached,” the ministry said in a statement.
The appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal pursuant to Section 325 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025. The state is seeking to overturn the acquittal and substitute it with a conviction and an appropriate sentence.
Authorities insisted the decision to appeal is part of the legal process and does not undermine the presumption of innocence or the right to a fair trial.
The Sukuta–Jabang Shooting Case
The case stems from the fatal shooting of two police officers and the injury of a third at the Sukuta–Jabang traffic lights on September 12, 2023.
Ousainou Bojang had faced multiple charges, including the murder of police constables Sang J. Gomez and Pateh M. Jallow, acts of terrorism, attempted murder, and grievous bodily harm.
Amie Bojang was charged as an accessory after the fact to murder.
Both were acquitted and discharged by the High Court after the trial.
The Attorney General’s Chambers also extended condolences to the families of the slain officers and expressed solidarity with the surviving officer, Police Constable Ansey Jawo, while urging the public to allow the appellate process to proceed without interference.
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