Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) — The murder trial of Kumba Sinyan, accused of killing her boyfriend Lamarana Jallow with a razor blade, resumed at the High Court as she commenced her testimony. The 27-year-old, currently held at the Women’s Remand Wing of Mile 2 Prison, denied the murder charge.
Kumba’s attorney, Sagarr Twum, had earlier claimed that Kumba was unfit to testify due to mental health issues, but a medical examination from Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital confirmed she had no history of mental illness.
Kumba began her testimony by recounting her childhood. Born in Tallinding and raised in Bakau by her grandmother, she revealed the hardships she faced, including the death of her parents and the physical and sexual abuse she endured while living with her uncle in Ziguinchor, Senegal. Breaking down in tears, she described the sexual abuse by her uncle, including being raped at the age of 16.
She detailed the impact of these traumatic experiences on her life, stating that they left her feeling isolated and preferring to be alone. After escaping from her uncle’s house, she moved to Banjul and then to her grandmother’s place. Kumba worked various jobs, including stints at Africell, Forward Communication, Paradise FM, and Elite Fitness Gym, before establishing her own business, Tutu Lingerie.
Kumba met her late boyfriend, Momodou Lamarana Jallow, while obtaining cards for the GCCI Trade Fair in 2018-2019. She described the initial stages of their relationship as normal, but noted that it eventually deteriorated due to mistrust and his infidelity. She shared that Lamarana would often accuse her of cheating and used her past trauma against her during arguments.
In a tearful account, Kumba described the events leading up to the alleged murder. She testified that she discovered she was pregnant and informed Lamarana, who refused to believe her and demanded she terminate the pregnancy. During a confrontation at Lamarana’s house, she claimed he physically assaulted her, including punching her in the stomach while she was pregnant. She recounted one moments of an incident, alleging that Lamarana’s roommate and aunt intervened as he continued to assault her.
The case was adjourned and scheduled to continue on the 4th, 5th, 9th, 15th, and 17th of July.
