Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a pivotal moment during the Bureau de Change murder trial, Officer Landing Jallow, a seasoned CID Officer, provided key testimony. Serving at the Serekunda West station and residing in Latrikunda Sabiji, Officer Jallow recounted his involvement in the investigation of the January 19th, 2024, murder at Westfield.

Officer Jallow described the day of the incident, noting how he passed a gathering crowd at Westfield while en route to his station. Upon arrival, he was briefed about the murder by his superior and other officers. A civilian had reported a stabbing at a bureau, and with no CID officer at the scene, Jallow and another CID officer quickly proceeded to the location.

At the crime scene, they encountered a crowd and PIU officers who had secured the area. The bureau where the incident occurred was locked, prompting Jallow to identify himself as Detective Sergeant Landing Jallow, responsible for the jurisdiction over Westfield. After verification, they were granted access by Commanding Officer Lamin B. Sarr and the bureau’s owner.

Inside the bureau, Officer Jallow noted bloodstains at the entrance leading to the toilet. Photographs were taken, and several items were discovered: a bag, a damaged mobile phone, cash in 200 denomination Dalasi notes, three mobile phones, the deceased staff’s ID, and her bag. The bag, described as a brown crossbody, contained two spanners and a face mask but no money.

Officer Jallow confirmed finding D50,000 in cash at the scene, which was tendered as Exhibit P1 and admitted without objection. Counsel A. Gibba requested that the cash be returned to its rightful owner, Pateh Jaw (PW3), which the court approved.

Furthermore, Jallow testified about recovering four mobile phones: three belonging to the deceased and one to the accused. Three phones were found with the cash in a safe behind the counter, while the fourth, belonging to the accused, was bloodstained and damaged on the counter. He identified the deceased’s phones as a white iPhone, a blue Samsung Android, and an Itel Android. Family members later confirmed their ownership.

These phones, along with a labelled bag, were submitted as evidence and marked as Exhibit P2A, P2B, P2C, and P2D. The court approved the prosecution’s request to return the phones to the deceased’s family.

The trial resumes today.