Lamin Fofana, a watchman, testified as the Fourth Prosecution Witness in Ousainou Bojang’s trial. Bojang is accused of killing two police officers at Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights.
Fofana disclosed to the court his employment as a security guard at a facility close to the Sukuta Jabang traffic lights. When asked whether he knew Adama Jobe, he replied that Jobe was, in fact, his uncle.
In reference to the event at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights, Fofana acknowledged not knowing the exact date. He related the story, saying that when he got back from Maghrib prayer, he saw his uncle Adama Jobe chasing someone and accusing them of being thieves. According to Fofana, the individual who was running was hit by a stone thrown by his uncle, who responded by flinging something back. Fofana momentarily joined the chase in an effort to capture the person, but had to give up when he saw his door was open. After that, he went back to his position.
“While sitting on a fence after returning from Maghrib prayer, I saw that my uncle was pursuing someone.” I was informed by my uncle that the individual fleeing was a thief. So he hurled a stone at him, and the guy running threw something at him as well, but he managed to avoid it. In an attempt to capture him, I chased after him. Mr. Fofana said the court, “But then I had to go back because my door was unlocked, so I went back to my chair.”
“Where did you get the gun?” AM Yusuf, State Counsel, questioned Mr. Fofana.
“I have no idea where the rifle originated. I turned my head to avoid him as he was attempting to strike me with the gun,” Mr. Fofana said.
“So the man who was running threw the gun at you?” Again, Counsel AM Yusuf questioned Mr. Fofana.
“Yes, because it was him who intended to use the gun against me,” Mr. Fofana said.
“What did you do with the gun when you showed it?” Attorney AM Yusuf enquired of Mr. Fofana.
Mr. Fofana said, “I took it and threw it into an empty land next to my house.”
According to Mr. Fofana, the unoccupied site is next to the house where he lives. He added that the person in issue was wearing a haftan in his evidence in court.
However, Mr. Fofana acknowledged in court that he could not remember the haftan’s exact hue. He also told the court that he was unable to identify the individual, therefore he was unable to provide a thorough description of them.
“What happened after you threw the gun into an empty land?” Attorney AM Yusuf enquired of Mr. Fofana.
“When I called my boss, Ansumana Tunkara, he told me not to tell anyone about what had happened and that he would arrange for someone to come get the gun,” Mr. Fofana said in court.
In his testimony, Mr. Fofana said that he kept the event to himself.
“Did your boss call anyone to take the gun in the end?” Counsel AM Yusuf inquired, and Mr. Fofana gave a resounding yes.
“When did that happen?” Attorney AM Yusuf enquired.
The court was informed by Mr. Fofana that the individual who contacted to pick up the pistol arrived on Friday.
“Do you recall the kind of gun?” Attorney AM Yusuf enquired.
“I am ignorant about firearms and their varieties. What would I say, then, if you inquired what kind of gun I had? The state witness was informed by Mr. Fofana.
Mr. Fofana said in court under cross-examination that he provided a statement to the police on a Friday.
Was it the Friday right after the gunshot incident? Mr. Fofana was questioned by Defense Attorney Lamin J. Darboe.
Mr. Fofana said, “I don’t know which Friday it was, but I know it was on a Friday.”
Mr. Fofana confirmed in court that he had given the police his phone number, 795. He declared himself to be 23 years old. Later, attorney LJ Darboe asked the prosecution to provide Lamin Fofana’s original statement.
The original document was soon provided by State Counsel AM Yusuf, and Counsel LJ Darboe thereafter requested its inclusion as evidence. Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh entered Mr. Lamin Fofana’s statement into evidence without the prosecution objecting.
“You mentioned that you have no knowledge of firearms?” Attorney LJ Darboe enquired.
“Yeah, I have no knowledge of firearms,” Mr. Fofana said.
“Was the pistol broken apart when you picked it up?” Attorney LJ Darboe enquired.
“It was taken apart,” Mr. Fofana informed the judge.
“How did you two manage to fix it?” Attorney LJ Darboe enquired.
“I simply gather it and discard it in that manner,” he said.
“You mentioned Amara Tunkara and Ansumana Tunkara in your statement.” Attorney LJ Darboe enquired.
“They are not the same people; the one I am working for is Ansumana Tunkara; he is my employer,” he said.
The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 for continuation.
Background of the Case
When Ousainou and Amie Bojang first appeared in front of Principal Magistrate Omar Jabang of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on September 21, 2023, they were charged with crimes pertaining to the shooting incident at Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights, which on September 12, 2023, claimed the lives of two PIU officers and seriously injured another.
The police had initially levelled four charges against the accused, including two murder charges, an act of terrorism charge, and an accessory after the fact to murder charge. Subsequently, Principal Magistrate Omar Jabang transferred the murder trial to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court of The Gambia.
On October 12, 2023, the case was presented before Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court of The Gambia.
On October 19, 2023, the State brought six charges against Ousainou Bojang, the prime suspect in the deaths of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers, and a single charge against his elder sister, Amie Bojang.
On October 24, 2023, both Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.