Two postmortem reports for Officers Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez, who were slain at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights, were submitted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice, represented by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) AM Yusuf.

The murders of Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez, two members of the Gambia Police Intervention Unit (PIU), are the charges against Ousainou Bojang.

In court, Professor Gabriel stated that he performed autopsies on the two police officers who were allegedly shot and killed at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights by Ousainou Bojang, the first accused.

After Police Detective Ebou Sowe (PW6) concluded his testimony, Professor Gabriel Odun, the head of pathology and laboratory medicine at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), came as the Seventh Prosecution Witness (PW7).

“Pateh Jallow and Sang J. Gomez’s remains were at EFSTH in September 2023 for postmortem examination. DPP Yusuf questioned Prof. Gabriel, “Are you aware of this?”

“I know this. Prof. Gabriel retorted, “I personally conducted the examinations.”

It was confirmed by Professor Gabriel that following the postmortem examination, he wrote and signed a report.

Professor Gabriel said that he would accept the postmortem findings that he had provided.

The two postmortem reports were then shown to him for identification, and he attested that they were the ones he had issued.

DPP Yusuf asked for the reports to be submitted as evidence after verifying them. They concerned the late police officers Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez.

The two postmortem reports were admitted as evidence by Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, who marked them as exhibits P20 and P21 after the Defence did not object.

Professor Gabriel stated during cross-examination that he was present in the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) autopsy room when Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez’s bodies were brought in.

Professor Gabriel added that he was unable to pinpoint the precise moment that Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez’s lifeless bodies arrived at the hospital.
Are you aware of when they will pass away? Prof. Gabriel was questioned by Attorney Lamin J. Darboe, who was representing Ousainou Bojang.

Prof. Gabriel answered, “I don’t certify their death so I don’t know.”

“Observe the exhibit; who certifies the deceased’s death since there is a column where you can enter their date and time of death?” Attorney LJ Darboe enquired.

“I’m not sure who verifies death. Certain protocols exist, and some involve transporting the deceased to an emergency department. Clinical reports are attached to the material that is present there. Medical reports were also used to create those clinical reports. The date and time of the death are noted in a column and row of your autopsy when those records are typed in. Prof. Gabriel informed the Court that these hours and dates are recorded there.

Counsel LJ Darboe questioned Prof. Gabriel, saying, “So you are telling the court that you know nothing about the certification of the dead of Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J Gomez?”

Prof. Gabriel retorted, “A medical certificate of death is not the same as a doctor certifying someone’s death; they are two different things.”

A medical certificate of death is prepared after the cause of death is established, according to Prof. Gabriel’s testimony in court.

Professor Gabriel informed the court Following a postmortem investigation, the medical certificate of death was issued in the current case.

“So, where were you when you prepared the medical certificate of death?” Lawyer LJ Darboe enquired of Professor Gabriel.

I can’t recall because I usually write things down in my

Prof. Gabriel informed the court, “either the mortuary or the office.”

According to Prof. Gabriel, the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul has his office.

When asked when he performed the autopsy, Prof. Gabriel said to the court that it was done at 15:19 on September 14, 2023.

“What is the typical duration of the autopsy?” inquired Attorney LJ Darboe.

“That fluctuates based on how complicated the case is. Determining the deceased and the cause of death is the main goal of the autopsy. Some can take up to thirty minutes,” Prof. Gabriel stated in court.

“Do you remember how long you need to do this?” Attorney LJ Darboe enquired.

“I’m not sure how long it took me,” However, I doubt it took me longer than forty minutes,” Prof. Gabriel retorted.

The case has been postponed to Tuesday, April 30, 2024, so that the cross-examination can continue.