Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – In a dramatic and emotional testimony, a woman, whose name is withheld for her protection, recounted the harrowing details of an alleged attack by her ex-husband, Yugo Sowe, also known as Gorgi Sowe. The trial, which began today in Banjul before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court, saw the victim testify against her former spouse, who faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and domestic violence.
The charges stem from an incident on November 16, 2023, in Brikama-Jalambang, where Yugo Sowe allegedly attacked his ex-wife with a cutlass, inflicting grievous injuries to her legs, arms, and other body parts. The assault left her reliant on a wheelchair, severely impacting her mobility and quality of life. Sowe has pleaded not guilty to the charges of attempted murder, assault causing grievous bodily harm, intentional harm, wounding, and domestic violence.
State Counsels Mariam Singhateh, A. Gibba, and F. Drammeh are representing the prosecution, while Senior Counsel O. Suso from the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) is defending Sowe.
During her testimony, the victim described the difficulties she faced throughout her 23-year marriage to Sowe, during which they had seven children. She detailed a series of escalating disputes, beginning with a conflict over land that her husband allegedly sold without her consent. This disagreement was followed by the sale of her cow, leading to further domestic strife.
“Marriage is marriage, but every marriage has its difficulties. I had a big problem with him. It started with a land issue. I traveled to my village and upon returning, I found that he sold my land,” she testified. Despite taking her mother’s advice to accept the situation, tensions continued to rise, culminating in a divorce that Sowe purportedly did not fully respect.
She recounted being taken to a remote compound in the bush with her children, where she faced further isolation and threats. Sowe’s insistence that parts of the compound belonged to his second wife, Dado, exacerbated the situation. According to the victim, Sowe threatened to kill her if she continued to dispute Dado’s claim to the property.
“That is where the problem began because I told him that Dado has no share in the compound… He said that if I continued saying that, he would kill me,” she said.
The victim’s testimony painted a picture of sustained domestic abuse and control, culminating in the brutal attack that has left her permanently disabled. The court proceedings were adjourned to June 3 and 4, 2024, as the trial continues to unfold.
The case underscores the urgent need to address domestic violence and provide protection for victims in The Gambia. As the trial progresses, it remains a poignant reminder of the severe consequences of domestic abuse and the importance of justice for survivors.
