Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The murder trial of Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang, faced another setback as the prosecution struggled to present their final witness. Defense counsel Lamin J. Darboe urged the court to compel the state to close its case after repeated delays.
The trial, held at the High Court of The Gambia, involves Ousainou Bojang, who faces six charges, including the murder of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers. His sister, Amie Bojang, is charged as an accessory after the fact.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) A.M. Yusuf informed the court that procuring the 13th witness from Senegal had proven difficult. The prosecution had already called 12 witnesses, but the absence of the final witness has stalled proceedings.
“We don’t have a witness in court today. We are finding it difficult to have our witness. The witness is coming across the border and it is difficult to have a witness from another country,” DPP Yusuf explained.
In response, Counsel Darboe pressed for the state to close its case, highlighting the repeated adjournments due to the prosecution’s inability to produce a witness. “My lord, this is not the first time the prosecution has been seeking an adjournment because they could not provide a witness. If they don’t have a witness they should close their case,” he asserted.
Presiding Judge Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh noted that he could compel the witness to testify if they were within the country, referencing Section 117. However, the witness’s location outside The Gambia made this impossible.
DPP Yusuf then disclosed that the witness from Senegal was a security officer, complicating their appearance in court. He suggested the possibility of bringing a civilian witness instead, stating, “Bringing a civilian from another country is easier than a security officer.”
Counsel Darboe expressed surprise at this revelation, indicating that the defense had only been informed of a civilian witness, not a security officer. “My lord, as far as we know, it is only a civilian who stated this matter. Today is the first day I have heard that an officer stated this matter,” Darboe said.
Despite these challenges, DPP Yusuf requested an adjournment to Tuesday, July 23, 2024, expressing hope to finally produce a witness.
The court granted the adjournment, setting the next hearing for July 23.
