By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Government Spokesperson Ebrima G. Sankareh faced questions in the High Court on Monday as defence lawyers challenged the accuracy and source of public statements he made following the September 2023 Sukuta-Jabang police shooting incident.
Appearing as a witness in the ongoing trial of Ousainou Bojang, the first accused person, Mr. Sankareh was asked to clarify multiple claims he made during a broadcast interview with West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time with Peter Gomez.
“You said the shooter is arrested and in custody,” defence lawyer Lamin J. Darboe began.
“I said the alleged shooter was arrested and in custody,” Mr. Sankareh clarified.
“You also said he has a co-conspirator,” Mr. Darboe continued.
“I said alleged co-conspirator,” the spokesperson replied.
Mr. Darboe pressed further: “You said he was at the trial of Yankuba Darboe?”
“I didn’t say that,” Mr. Sankareh answered.
Asked whether he claimed that the alleged shooter was seen in a mosque with his co-conspirator, Mr. Sankareh responded, “No, I never said that but something similar.”
When Mr. Darboe asked if he had said the suspect planned to kill six officers, the government spokesperson replied, “According to the information I gathered from the investigators.”
On the issue of money reportedly found on the accused, Mr. Sankareh clarified: “I said the police said they have recovered money from the alleged shooter.”
“Did you confirm the amount?” Mr. Darboe asked.
“No, I didn’t confirm the amount. I acted on the information provided by the police,” Mr. Sankareh said.
He admitted stating that the accused was smuggled into Cassamance by a co-conspirator. “Yes, I said that based on the information from the police,” he confirmed.
“You said the alleged shooter was wearing a hoodie jumper and was at the trial?” Mr. Darboe asked.
“Yes, as a security, not as a demonstrator—just like I’m here with my security in court as a witness,” Mr. Sankareh explained.
On compensation pledges, Mr. Sankareh said: “Yes, that was all over the news that the president promised to give one million dalasis,” adding, “25,000 dalasis was pledged by the police to the family.”
“Do you agree that the statements you made to the public were not accurate?” Mr. Darboe asked.
“They were accurate at the time as a preliminary investigation, and after that, I excused myself from the whole issue and never said anything about it again,” he responded.
“Did you withdraw yourself from the case or were you withdrawn from the case?” Mr. Darboe asked.
“I was neither withdrawn nor being withdrawn. I travelled to America for the UN General Assembly a few days after the incident, and I continued with my vacation before I returned. The case has gone too far,” Mr. Sankareh said.
“Were you aware that the police held a press conference and said all you said came from them?” Mr. Darboe asked.
“All I said came from the police,” he confirmed.
