Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – In the ongoing court case against Ousainou Bojang, Alfusainey Darrie, a driver and safety garage operator, appeared as the thirteenth prosecution witness (PW13) to testify about his interactions with the accused.
During his testimony, Alfusainey recounted his first encounter with Ousainou Bojang in September 2023 at a garage in Diouloulou. “I met Ousainou on a Wednesday. He approached me, seeking transportation to Ziguinchor and requested a seven-seater vehicle. I informed him that we didn’t have any available unless I called Janna. After arranging for the vehicle and receiving 5,000 CFA from Ousainou, he started crying,” Alfusainey testified.
When asked about the cause of Ousainou’s distress, Alfusainey said, “He told me he had a problem with his ‘White Lady’ and wanted to see a fortune teller, a marabout. I referred him to Mama Jabbi, a well-known marabout residing with Yaye Faal.”
Alfusainey further testified that upon reaching Mama Jabbi’s place, Yaye Faal informed him that Ousainou had been crying continuously and speaking about killing. “I went to see Ousainou, and he confessed that two people had died in his hands. I told him I couldn’t take responsibility and suggested going to the Gendermarine instead of the military,” Alfusainey added.
The witness detailed how he reported the matter to the Head of the Gendermarine, Ababacarr Sarr, who advised him to converse with Ousainou again. “Ousainou kept talking about killing, so I went back to the Gendermarine. The head accompanied me in civilian clothes to Diouloulou, where we took Ousainou to the Gendermarine base.”
During cross-examination, defense lawyer Counsel LJ Darboe challenged Alfusainey’s account, accusing him of fabricating the story. Alfusainey stood firm, insisting on the truth of his statements. “What I saw and heard is what I testified,” he responded to multiple assertions from the defense.
Counsel LJ Darboe also questioned the authenticity of Alfusainey’s police statement, which included details he later denied in court. Despite confirming his thumbprint and signature on the document, Alfusainey denied certain contents attributed to him.
The court admitted the statement into evidence as Defence Exhibit 15 after no objections from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) A.M Yusuf.
In re-examination, Alfusainey clarified that while he had seen Mama Jabbi, he did not know her personally, reiterating that his primary acquaintance was with Yaye Faal, the landlady.
The trial continues with the next hearing scheduled for July 30, 2024.
