Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) — Ousainou Bojang, a Brufut resident accused of killing two police officers and seriously injuring another at Sukuta traffic lights in September 2023, has testified in his defence, denying the charges against him.
Bojang faces multiple counts, including murder, attempted murder, committing a terrorist act, and assault causing grievous bodily harm. His sister, Amie Bojang, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.
During his testimony at the Banjul High Court, Bojang outlined his whereabouts on the day of the alleged crime, maintaining that he was in Brufut for most of the day and working a night shift as a security guard at a nearby lodge.
According to the prosecution, Bojang allegedly shot three police officers at Sukuta traffic lights on September 12, 2023. The incident resulted in the deaths of two officers and left a third with life-threatening injuries.
Bojang, however, refuted any involvement in the shooting, claiming he only learned about the incident from a friend who showed him a video on a phone.
Under questioning from his lawyer, Senior Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, Bojang testified that he worked at the Smiling Coast Residence, a lodge adjacent to his family compound in Brufut. He detailed his movements, stating he returned to Brufut at 5 PM that day and later began his shift at the lodge at 7 PM.
Bojang explained that around 11 PM, he stepped out briefly to buy dinner and phone credit from a shop located a few compounds away.
He claimed to have seen friends, including his brother Famara and others, near the lodge gate watching a video about the police shooting on a phone. He said he advised them to be cautious before returning to his workplace.
While at work, Bojang stated he had a conversation with a tenant named Sulayman, who was heading to the shop. Bojang cautioned him about the news of the shooting before continuing his duties and chatting with his boss, Kathleen Smith, on WhatsApp.
The presiding judge, Justice Jaiteh, adjourned the case to November 20, 2024, at 3 PM for the continuation of the trial.
Bojang’s testimony and cross-examination will likely be pivotal as the court determines his involvement in the tragic incident that shocked the nation. Meanwhile, his sister Amie Bojang’s case as an alleged accessory remains intertwined with the proceedings.
The trial has drawn significant public interest, highlighting concerns over law enforcement safety and the prevalence of violent crimes in The Gambia.
