During her murder trial defence, Kumba Sinyan provided a comprehensive account of her connection with her deceased former fiancé, Momodou Lamarana Jallow.

Kumba Sinyan, an aspiring entrepreneur, is being accused of committing murder as defined by Section 187 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Gambia 2009. According to the prosecution, on September 14, 2022, at The Friendship Hostel in Bakau, Sinyan deliberately caused the death of Jallow by inflicting a severe injury to the abdomen, which is a crime punishable by death under Section 188 of the Criminal Code.

Kumba testified in her defence, stating that her date of birth is February 21, 1997. She described the experience of losing both of her parents at a young age, with her father passing away in 2004 and her mother in 2011. She was then raised by her grandmother, Mam Tuti Jeng.

Kumba’s testimony unveiled a distressing phase of her life while she resided in Ziguinchor, Senegal, under the care of her deceased mother’s sibling, Alassana Sonko. She recounted experiencing persistent physical and sexual mistreatment inflicted by him, which included being subjected to rape when she was 16 years old. As a result of the assault, she decided to escape and return to the Gambia without disclosing the traumatic experience to her grandma.

“I lamented my decision to visit Ziquinchorr.” I reached a point where I no longer had confidence in myself. Due to the absence of companions, I lack the opportunity for interpersonal communication. “I refrained from disclosing to my Grandma the fact that I was subjected to sexual assault by my uncle,” she testified before the court. Kumba stated that after coming back to the Gambia, she assisted her grandmother in running her business, received training at Malick Mendy Tailoring Shop to develop her talents, and then obtained employment at Paradise FM and Elite Fitness. With the assistance of her aunt, she ultimately established her own enterprise in food processing and catering.

“Subsequently, I established my own business.” I was engaged in the activities of food preparation and catering. During the period from 2018 to 2019, I endeavoured to initiate my entrepreneurial venture. However, at that period, I would frequently be present at my Aunt’s workshop. She facilitated my registration at the trade expo. Kumba stated that she used to have a stall at the trade show and would be accompanied by her cousin, Mainuna Njie.

Kumba stated in her testimony that before each trade fair, all stall owners must retrieve their identification cards from the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as evidence of their participation.

She additionally asserted that during the time of card collection, a cohort of guys, purporting to be officials of GCCI, appeared to capture their images for the cards. One of these individuals was her deceased former fiancé, Momodou Lamarana Jallow.

Kumba said in court that her first interaction with Jallow occurred at this event in 2019.

“What was your relationship with Momodou Lamarana Jallow before it became romantic?” Lawyer Sagar Twum, acting as Kumba’s legal counsel, posed a question to her.

“Our friendship preceded our romantic involvement.” We had a friendship that lasted about 2 years prior to embarking on a love relationship. “Our romantic relationship began when Momodou Lamarana Jallow started inviting me to go out,” Kumba Sinyan replied.

When questioned about whether she had been in a romantic connection with someone other than the late Momodou Lamarana Jallow, Kumba said affirmatively.

“Indeed, I had developed romantic feelings for another individual.” The relationship was profound. Kumba informed the court that the individual in question is named Mass Mbye and he resides in England.

“Now, let’s discuss your initial relationship with Lamarana (the victim). How would you describe it?” “May I inquire, Counsel Sagar Twum?”

“Our relationship was completely ordinary and we didn’t encounter any issues,” Kumba replied.

“Describe your personality.” Sagar Twum inquired Kumba.

“I possess a modest and unpretentious nature.” I enjoy engaging in lighthearted banter and sharing humorous anecdotes with others. “I have no history of violence in my life,” Kumba declared.

Kumba stated to the court that her deceased former fiancé, Lamarana Jallow, lived in Brusubi, in close proximity to the Brusubi Police Station, together with his Aunt Sally and flatmate Alhagie Sonko.

In addition, she discussed the challenges they encountered in their romantic relationship. Kumba asserted that although their relationship commenced on a positive note, it swiftly became burdened with numerous misunderstandings.

She ascribed these misconceptions to a deficiency in trust between herself and the deceased Lamarana Jallow.

“What is the reason for your lack of trust in him?” Sagar Twum, the counsel, posed a question to Kumba.

“The information he provided and my personal observations were completely contradictory.” We previously engaged in the practice of sharing passwords. I previously had authorization to use his phone. I previously engaged in the act of inspecting his mobile device, and he reciprocated by examining mine. I observed several texts on his phone, however, when I inquired, he refrained from disclosing the facts.

The texts I observed were of a romantic kind, sent between him and other ladies. I suspected that he was involved with the women he was conversing with. I inferred that he was engaging in extramarital relationships with other women. “This occurred on numerous occasions,” Kumba Sinyan informed the court.

Kumba Sinyan testified in court that throughout the initial phase of their relationship, Lamarana Jallow shown a high level of integrity. Nevertheless, as their friendship advanced, his honesty deteriorated.

She additionally conveyed that as Lamarana Jallow became cognizant of the intensity of her affection for him, he started behaving according to his own desires without regard for her emotions.

Occasionally, Lamarana Jallow will spontaneously visit my residence without prior notification. Occasionally, we would engage in a phone conversation, during which he would neglect to inform me of his intention to visit my residence. Lamarana Jallow suspected that I was engaged in a romantic relationship with our neighbour, Ebrima Njie. He encountered Ebrima Njie and directly addressed the matter with him. “Upon his departure, Ebrima Njie informed me that Lamarana was making threats towards him, under the assumption that I was engaged in a romantic relationship with Ebrima Njie,” testified Kumba Sinyan in court.

Kumba testified in court that subsequently, the deceased Momodou Lamarana Jallow persistently harassed her on the matter.

“He (Momodou Lamarana Jallow) suddenly transformed into a different individual and accused me of being unfaithful,” Kumba testified in court.

During the court proceedings, Kumba Sinyan testified that she engaged in sexual intercourse with Lamarana Jallow during a trade fair.

“It occurred during the period of the trade fair.” “Lamarana and I engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse,” Kumba disclosed.

Kumba Sinyan revealed in her testimony that she conceived a child due to repeated instances of sexual intercourse without using any form of protection, which she became aware of after experiencing a missed menstrual cycle.

After realising that she had missed her monthly cycle, Kumba made the decision to get pregnancy testing kits from a drugstore in order to verify her concerns.

“I visited a pharmacy to purchase a pregnancy kit and acquired two test kits.” Upon arriving home, I utilised a pregnancy test and had a positive result. It indicates that I was expecting a child. Subsequently, I contacted Lamarana and provided him with a detailed explanation. However, he harboured doubts about my credibility. Subsequently, I captured an image of the pregnancy test kit and transmitted it to him, although he remained unconvinced.

After obtaining two pregnancy test kits, I proceeded to his residence and utilised one of them in the toilet. Subsequently, I presented the positive result to him. Prior to utilising it, I presented it to him, and subsequently, I also presented it to him after using it. I expressed my desire to continue the pregnancy due to the affection I felt towards him. Kumba testified that he had stated his unwillingness to have a child at that particular moment.

Kumba alleged that the late Lamarana Jallow had been disloyal to her, involved in a romantic relationship with a woman named Fatou Colley.

According to her, Fatou Colley was anticipating the arrival of Lamarana Jallow’s offspring; unfortunately, the pregnancy was terminated.

“Lamarana Jallow was engaging in infidelity with Fatou Colley.” Among the texts, I came across one in which she expressed to Lama her longing for their unborn kid. Lama responded, expressing regret that there were no other options available. Kumba stated that the woman was carrying his child, but had to terminate the pregnancy.

Kumba stated that she went with Lamarana Jallow, who has now passed away, to his home after they left the trade fair. Afterwards, he proceeded to cleanse himself in the shower before they both sat down to engage in a chat.

She stated that throughout their conversation, Lamarana Jallow asked about her plans regarding the pregnancy.

“I informed him of my desire to bear the pregnancy, but I expressed my preference for keeping it confidential from my family.” Lamarana Jallow inquired if it was my desired choice, and I confirmed in the affirmative. He expressed his lack of readiness to have a child, but suggested that we may be married during the pregnancy. He proposed the idea of breaking up after the birth and then getting married again. “I consented to that,” she stated.

Kumba stated that she informed Lamarana that she would not engage in the same actions as Fatou Colley.

It became apparent to me that Lamarana Jallow was responsible for persuading Fatou Colley to terminate her pregnancy. Kumba testified that although he did not explicitly request her to terminate the pregnancy, his manner of speaking made it evident that he desired the same outcome.

Kumba stated to the court that while her conversation about the pregnancy with Lamarana Jallow, Alhagie Sonko, his flatmate, was not present.

Following the chat, I removed the shirt I had on due to the intense heat and proceeded to recline. Then Lama climbed on top of me and explicitly expressed his want to engage in sexual activity. However, despite my explicit statement of fatigue and lack of interest in engaging in sexual activity, he proceeded to employ physical coercion. Kumba stated that when he attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with her and she declined, he resorted to using physical force and proceeded to slap her.

After striking me, he attempted to take down my trousers while I was wearing three-quarter trousers. He grasped my neck and proceeded to strike my face with his fists. I was reclining on the chair, while he was positioned over me. I informed him that I was fatigued and requested that he refrain from feeling sorry for me, Lama. Once I instructed him to wait, I proceeded to rise and remove my clothing. Kumba stated that upon waking up, he discovered a coffee cup. As he attempted to stand up, his calf accidentally struck the coffee cup, causing it to shatter.

Kumba claimed that after waking up, she had to tidy her messy wig and asked Lamarana whether he lacked any empathy towards her.

During her court testimony, she stated that despite her pleas, Lamarana commenced a series of repetitive blows to her abdomen while she was pregnant.

“Subsequently, his flatmate Alhagie Sonko emerged.” Alhagie was conversing in the Mandinka language, while Sally and Baye Faal were positioned by the window. Lama was being urged to depart from my presence. However, Lama declined to allow my departure. Subsequently, Alhagie attempted to divide us. Subsequently, Alhagie proceeded to open the door,” she stated.

Kumba informed the court that during the beginning of her relationship with Lamarana Jallow, it took a while before they started engaging in sexual activity.

She stated that when Lamarana Jallow declared his desire for sexual contact on the first night, she started crying and rejected his advances.

Kumba confirmed that when Lamarana Jallow asked about her rejection, she said that she was incapable of discussing it.

“Upon my departure, he contacted me and inquired about the issue at hand. I proceeded to elucidate the actions of my uncle, to which he suggested that I disclose the matter to my relatives or initiate legal proceedings against my uncle. However, I declined, expressing my inability to do so,” she stated.

The lawsuit was postponed until July 4, 2024, in order to continue proceedings.