Amid the murder trial involving Amie Bojang (2nd Accused) and Ousainou Bojang (1st Accused), the court received critical evidence from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), A.M. Yusuf. The prosecution presented this evidence in the form of a pistol, empty bullet casings, and a live round, all of which were allegedly used in the homicide.

Ousainou Bojang is accused of six counts, which include the homicide of two officers from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU). In contrast, Amie Bojang, his elder sister, is charged with a solitary count of accessory after the fact of murder.

Police Investigator Francis Jatta, in his capacity as the Eighth Prosecution Witness (PW8), disclosed his association with the Criminal Records Office of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) to the court. Jatta further specified that his responsibilities include the upkeep of records pertaining to convicted criminals, performing the duties of a Crime Scene Investigator during site visits, undertaking fingerprint analysis, and examining evidence recovered from crime scenes. Furthermore, Jatta informed the court regarding the identification of numerous exhibits that were found in Ousainou Bojang’s residence and at the location of the crime.

“Upon my arrival at work on September 13, 2023, I was informed that we had been tasked with organising a forensic team to conduct a site investigation at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights. The Criminal Records Office of the Police Headquarters was evacuated by a group of four personnel, commanded by Ebrima Kagne and consisting of myself (Francis Jatta), Bunangbass Manka, and Edrisa Jarju.

“In order to join the other investigators at the crime scene, we departed the police headquarters.” Additionally, several forensic officers from other units were contacted. One officer originated from the Brikama Police Station, while the other officer was assigned from the anti-crime unit. Salia is the Anti-Crime officer, while Yahya Bojang is an employee of the Brikama Police Station. “A six-person team assembled at the location of the incident,” Mr. Jatta informed the court.

Mr. Jatta stated that several other police officers were present at the crime scene, in addition to the members of the forensic team. He noted that Commissioner Pateh Jallow, Fakebba Darboe, Thomas R.K. Gomez, and Pateh Bah, Assistant Commissioner of Police, were present.

“Did anything occur at the location of the crime?” Yusuf, DPP, questioned the witness.

“Yes, we attempted to conduct interviews and inquired with individuals about what transpired upon our arrival. We were subsequently informed that two empty cartridge cases had been found. We put forth a request for those empty containers. Following his conversation with our team supervisor, he contacted the Anti-Crime Unit, which had personnel on-site on the initial day of the incident.

“Upon their arrival, they identified the location from which they obtained the two empty cases.” And we attempted to regain control of the area by reconstructing the scene in a manner that would prevent others from entering. The witness replied, “We conducted a search and took photographs of the area along the side of the road that was severely damaged by one of the bullets.”

Mr. Jatta reported that an additional empty bullet casing was discovered during the search in the vicinity of the stationary vehicle.

He elaborated that their inquiry involved tracing the route followed by the assailant as he attempted to escape the location subsequent to the lamentable incident involving the police officers.

According to the information provided by Mr. Jatta to the court, a live round bullet was discovered along the escape route during the investigation. This bullet was believed to have been taken by the assailant.

“We persisted in our efforts to recover anything, but at the time, we were unable to locate anything. Once a comprehensive investigation was completed, the team departed for Banjul. “Upon our arrival at the office, we contacted the Gambia National Army to request a ballistic examination of the recovered evidence from the crime scene, as our facility lacks the capability to perform such an examination,” Mr. Jatta testified.

According to Mr. Jatta, the Gambia National Army was provided with one live round projectile and empty bullet cases for ballistic analysis.

“Did the Gambia Army conduct the requested analysis?” DPP Yusuf inquired.

Mr. Jatta replied, “Yes, and the report was sent along with the three empty cases and the live round.”
Mr. Jatta stated that the ballistic reports pertaining to the empty cartridge and live round cases were subsequently integrated into the case file after being transmitted to the Prosecutors.

“On September 13, 2023, following the recovery of those empty bullet cases and the live round, did anything occur on the same day?” DPP Yusuf inquired.

“Indeed, both the investigation team and the defendant (Ousainou Bojang) visited the defendant’s residence. In which certain items were retrieved. The witness replied, “Among the recovered items are a grey haftan, black jean trousers, and a black jacket.”

Subsequently, the aforementioned items were transferred to the Criminal Records Office for securekeeping, as disclosed by Mr. Jatta to the court. He stated that each of these items had been suitably labelled and deposited within a brown evidence bag.

In addition to the aforementioned, did the investigation uncover any other items? DPP Yusuf inquired.

“Yes, the investigation team revisited the residence of the accused (Ousainou Bojang) the day after, on September 14, 2023, and discovered two desert boots or combat boots.” Mr. Jatta informed the court that the two combat boots, also known as desert boots, were subsequently transferred to the Criminal Records Office for the purpose of storage.

Additionally, the witness disclosed to the court that the purported murder weapon had been recovered.

“On September 22, 2023, we were notified that the murder weapon had been discovered and that the forensic team’s presence was required at the crime site. The forensic investigator was tasked with retrieving it. In doing so, a group travelled to the specified location. “Upon recovering the pistol, it was transported to the Criminal Records Office for safekeeping,” he explained.

Mr. Jatta stated that the military conducted an additional examination of the pistol subsequent to the initial evaluation. He indicated that a comprehensive report accompanied its return.

The prosecution subsequently received the aforementioned report regarding the pistol, as per the testimony of Mr. Jatta, for inclusion in the case documentation. Subsequently, he clarified, the pistol was housed at the Criminal Records Office.

“Where are the bullet cases that are empty and the live round?” DPP Yusuf posed the question to Mr. Jatta.

Mr. Jatta informed the court, “The empty bullet cases and the live round were initially located at the Criminal Records Office, but were subsequently transferred to the prosecution team.”

When DPP Yusuf inquired whether the witness was capable of distinguishing between empty cartridge cases and a live round, the witness responded affirmatively. According to the witness, two of the empty cartridge cases contained the serial number S96, whereas the third case bore the marking 380 TMC. Furthermore, the live round also possessed the S96 serial number.

As per Mr. Jatta’s testimony, these items were formerly packaged in distinct packages; however, they were subsequently merged into a solitary small brown envelope. Mr. Jatta affirmed to the court, upon being turned over for identification, that these were, in fact, the three empty bullet cases and live round that the Gambia Army had submitted for ballistic examination.

The DPP intended to present these items as evidence, and the defence did not object to this. They were acknowledged by the Honourable Ebrima Justice Jaiteh of the High Court of the Gambia as exhibits P22 and P23.

Furthermore, DPP Yusuf submitted a bid to tender a Haftan in a grey hue and black trousers that were discovered at the residence of Ousainou Bojang. Once more, the defence failed to object, and the exhibits P24 and P25 were admitted by Justice Jaiteh.

The witness was also presented with two pairs of combat or desert boots for identification; it was affirmed that these boots had been recovered from the same residence. Without any objections from the defence, the Court of Justice Jaiteh designated the documents as Exhibits P26 and P27.

Additionally, a pistol recovered during the investigation was identified by the witness and admitted into evidence as exhibit P28 without any objections.

As a consequence of the court’s inadequate storage facilities, the pistol was transferred to the prosecution pending further arrangements could be made. The case has been postponed until May 20, 2024, in order to continue it.