Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The High Court trial of Ousainou and Amie Bojang—accused of killing police officers in a September 2023 shooting—took a new turn Tuesday with the testimony of a defense witness who offered insights into Ousainou Bojang’s movements and mental state in the hours preceding the alleged crime.
The session opened with Defence Counsel Lamin J. Darboe informing the court of an affidavit opposing the State’s motion to stay proceedings, which had been duly filed and served on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh acknowledged that three subpoenaed government officials had appeared before the court the previous day—two formally served and one who attended voluntarily after learning of the subpoena.
The defense then proceeded to call its fifth witness, Famara Badjie, a former co-worker of Ousainou Bojang at a lodge in Brufut. Badjie, the lodge’s first employee, recounted their working relationship and shared details of September 12, 2023—the night before the alleged crime.
He testified that Bojang had relieved him from duty that evening, as per their usual shift rotation. When Badjie returned the next morning, Bojang was already on duty.
Though he recalled nothing unusual that day, Badjie later received an invitation to report to the Banjulding Police Station, where he met an officer named Patch Jallow and gave a statement.
Being illiterate, Badjie had not read the statement himself but confirmed its accuracy when it was read aloud in court. It was accepted into evidence as Defence Exhibit D34 without objection.
During cross-examination, Badjie confirmed the existence of a cutlass at the lodge, owned by the establishment and not personally by Bojang. He denied any presence or use of firearms at the premises and insisted he was never arrested but voluntarily reported to police upon request.
Pressed further by prosecutors, Badjie disclosed a critical moment on September 13, 2023, when he encountered Bojang lying beside the lodge’s pool with a cutlass.
According to Badjie, Bojang appeared agitated, claiming a Jamaican singer was stalking him and threatening to kill the man if he saw him again.
Bojang also said he had reported the man to the police, before changing his story and saying he was en route to Diouloulou, in Casamance, to visit a Marabout.
Following the testimony, the court turned to the State’s application seeking to overturn an earlier ruling allowing defense subpoenas of senior government officials.
Defense counsel Adama Sillah requested time to update the defense’s affidavit with new information, which Justice Jaiteh granted. He ordered the updated affidavit be filed and served by Wednesday, with the State’s reply due by Thursday.
The court adjourned and scheduled the hearing of the State’s application for Monday, June 23, 2025, when the trial is expected to resume with further proceedings.
The case continues to draw public attention as it delves deeper into the events in the lead-up to the fatal shooting.
