Under cross-examination, Chief Inspector Landing Nasso, the chief investigator in Shakina Chinedu’s murder trial, informed the court that the deceased’s lover had been exonerated during their inquiry. Chinedu is a British citizen.

Chief Nasso stated in court that Augustine Bangura, the accused, had admitted to both the murder and the pilfering of Chinedu’s possessions.

Through Chief Inspector Nasso, the prosecution presented these possessions belonging to the deceased Shakina Chinedu.

Sections 187 and 252 of the 2009 Gambia Criminal Code Revised Laws accuse Bangura of murder and stealing.

As per the prosecution, Bangura killed Chinedu on February 14, 2024, in Sinchang Village, West Coast Region, Gambia, by hitting her behind her neck with a hammer. Furthermore, Bangura is charged with stealing D80,000.00, two laptops, a tablet, flash drives, keys, a Canon camera, and numerous communication cards from Chinedu on the same day and at the same place.

Following Chief Inspector Nasso’s evidence, Augustine Bangura’s attorneys had the opportunity to cross-examine the inspector.

“Are you the case’s primary investigator, correct?” Chief Inspector Nasso was questioned by Augustine Bangura’s attorney, Counsel O. Susso.

Chief Inspector Nasso said, “Yes, as the investigator, I took a lead role.

Will you concur with me, as an experienced investigator, that criminal investigation is an applied science? Lawyer Susso enquired once again.

Chief Inspector said, “I disagree.

Chief Inspector Nasso did concur, though, that investigators employ a variety of methods when looking into criminal cases.

“Are you able to disclose to the court the strategies you employed in this case?” Attorney Susso enquired.

Chief Inspector Nasso replied, “The first method our team employed to look into the matter was to apply a printout of the deceased phone numbers, and we focused the investigation on it, and it involves the accused person (Augustine Bangura).”

Chief Inspector Nasso testified in court that the investigators questioned a number of individuals whose names were brought up during their inquiry as part of their methodology.

Chief Inspector Nasso concurred that there are signs of suspicion in addition to investigative tactics while looking into a crime.

“Is it also true that the way a crime is committed is one of the indicators of suspicion?” Attorney Susso enquired.

In response, Chief Inspector Nasso said, “It is not all motives.”

Will you, as an experienced prosecutor, rule out motive when looking into a crime? Lawyer Susso enquired once again.

Chief Inspector Nasso answered, “You can’t rule out a motive.”

Nicole Palmer must have been interviewed by you since you spoke with every witness during your inquiry, right? Attorney Susso enquired.

Chief Inspector Nasso answered, “The one I recall is Nikkie Palmer, not Nichole.

In his explanation to the court, Chief Inspector Nasso went into additional detail about his interactions with Nikki Palmer while conducting their investigation.

Nikkie Palmer must have told you about a Mr. Bruce, since you interviewed her. Is that accurate? Attorney Susso enquired. Chief Inspector Nasso said, “Yes.”

“Did she not inform you that Mr. Bruce exhibited strange behavior at the time of the purported incident?” Attorney Susso enquired.

“I don’t recall, and I didn’t get her statement,” replied Chief Inspector Nasso.

“I’m putting it to you that Nikkie Palmer informed you about Mr. Bruce’s strange behavior when you interviewed him, the deceased boyfriend?” Chief Inspector Nasso was briefed by Counsel Susso.

The witness testified in court, “I remember her saying that the deceased ex-boyfriend was Mr. Bruce.”

Counsel Susso addressed Chief Inspector Nasso, saying, “I am putting it to you that in addition to what Nikkie Palmer told you regarding Mr. Bruce, she also told you that the deceased (Shakina Chinedu) was in a romantic relationship with Mr. Bruce.”

“I recall that when we obtained Mr. Bruce’s name or information for the investigation, he was also asked to be questioned and subsequently gave a statement. However, I am unable to recall any kind of connection between Mr. Bruce and the deceased, Shakina Chinedu,” Chief Inspector Nasso stated in court.

Chief Inspector Nasso was questioned by Counsel Susso on why Mr. Bruce was hauled in for questioning after Nikkie Palmer “merely” mentioned his name.

Since murder is a serious crime, anybody whose name or information was obtained was invited to be questioned, according to Chief Inspector Nasso.

Counsel Susso said Chief Inspector Nasso, “Not only was murder a serious crime, but you had a good reason to think Bruce could have been the one behind it, considering the signs of suspicion.”

In response, Chief Inspector Nasso stated, “As part of the investigation, and as investigators, we did not have any reasonable belief on Mr. Bruce being the perpetrator, other than the accused person (Augustine Bangura) who confessed voluntarily and later led the investigators including to recover all the stolen materials or articles of the deceased (Shakina Chinedu).”

As a glaring indication that Mr. Bruce had the motivation to commit the crime, Counsel Susso told Chief Inspector Nasso, “I am putting it to you that, in a desperate attempt to incriminate the accused (Augustine Bangura) by linking him to the commission of the alleged crime, you forced the accused to confess.”

Chief Inspector Nasso refuted the accusation, saying, “I totally disagree with counsel and there is no evidence at all found or linking Mr Bruce to the murder, other than the accused person (Augustine Bangura)”.

Chief Inspector Nasso informed the court that the D80,000 allegedly found at Augustine Bangura’s home was really found by the investigative team, not by him.

“Is it true that the aforementioned D80,000 was recovered by you and your team? Is that accurate? Attorney Susso enquired.

Chief Inspector Nasso stated, “Yes, the D80,000 was recovered from the accused’s (Augustine Bangura) house. He claimed it was a portion of the money he took from the deceased (Shakina Chinedu) after committing the crime.”

According to Chief Inspector Nasso, his team of investigators witnessed the money’s recovery.

“When did you learn that the D80,000 had allegedly been found in the house of the accused?” Attorney Susso enquired.

Chief Inspector Nasso stated, “I recall being notified after the money was found because we weren’t focusing on the same angles.”

Chief Inspector Nasso said he could remember being informed that the money was recovered in Augustine Bangura’s house while the investigation was on.

“I am putting it to you that you were not with your colleagues when the purported D80,000 was recovered,” Counsel Susso told Chief Inspector Nasso.

“I was part and parcel of the investigation team, but it was my colleagues who recovered the money and told me. I was also concentrating on other angles,” Chief Inspector Nasso insisted.

“Will I be correct to say that you were not at the accused house?” Attorney Susso enquired.

“I was there at the compound, but not inside the house. The compound of the accused was where we found the bunch of keys,” Chief Inspector Nasso told the court.

The case was adjourned to the 14th of October 2024 for continuation.