By Mariama Marong
In a dramatic turn at the High Court, Omar Kujabi, popularly known as Baitullah Junior, claimed that his voluntary police statement was obtained under duress. Testifying before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, Kujabi asserted that law enforcement compelled him to sign the document against his will while he was in handcuffs.
During a cross-examination led by State Prosecutor F. Drammeh, Kujabi maintained that he was unwilling to provide a statement but was forced by police officers. “I have complained to the police that I cannot sign a voluntary statement, but they forced me to do so,” Kujabi told the court.
When asked by the prosecution if he could read his statement aloud in court, Kujabi declined, explaining that he could not read English.
On the previous hearing date, Defence Counsel Lamin J. Darboe filed a bail application on behalf of the Kafuta-born accused. Justice Jaiteh granted bail, setting the bond at one hundred thousand dalasis (D100,000).
The State has brought six criminal charges against the 45-year-old Kujabi. These include two counts of sedition, threatening violence, publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public, and an internet-related offence under section 173A (1) (1) of the Criminal Code. The case is scheduled to resume on November 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. for further proceedings
