By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Ousainou Bojang, a resident of Brufut accused of murdering two (2) policemen in September 2023 on Tuesday, 19 November 2023 testified that he got the news of the police shooting through a friend.
Ousainou Bojang, a resident of Brufut, is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, committing a terrorist act, and assault causing grievous bodily harm. His sister, Amie Bojang, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
The prosecution alleged that on 12 September 2023 at the Sukuta traffic lights, Ousainou Bojang, shot three police personnel with a gun, resulting in the death of two leaving the other with life-threatening injuries. Ousainou denied the allegation in court
He has commenced his defence in the murder and terrorist act trial.
In his testimony, he told the court that his name is Ousainou Bojang, and that he is a resident of Brufut, but presently at Mile 2 Central Prison
He was being questioned by his lawyer, Senior Counsel Lamin J. Darboe.
“Do you recall where you are on the 12th of September 2023,”? Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe asked
“Yes, I do,” Ousainou Bojang answered.
“Where were you?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“I was in Brufut,” he said.
“Were you in Brufut the whole time on the 12th of September 2023?” Darboe asked.
“I went out in the morning,” he replied.
“Do you recall when you returned to Brufut?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“I went back to Brufut at 5 pm,” he said.
“Did you go anywhere after 17:00 that day?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“No, I did not go out. I only went to work within Brufut,” he said.
“Where do you work?” Darboe asked.
“I work next to our compound,” he said.
“Does your workplace have a name?” Darboe said.
“Yes, it is a lodge,” Ousainou said.
“What is the name of the lodge?” Darboe asked.
“The lodge is called Smiling Coast Residence,” Ousainou replied.
“When did you start work on that day?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“I started work at 19:00,” Ousainou replied.
“When did you usually finish work?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“I close work by 7 am,” he answered.
“When you started work, did you relieve anybody in the evening?” Counsel Darboe said.
“Yes, I relieve someone,” Ousainou answered.
“Do you recall the name of that person?” Darboe asked.
“His name is Famara Badjie,” Ousainou stated.
“Did anyone relieve you from work the next day?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“It was Famara Badjie who came the following morning and relieved me from work,” Ousainou said.
“What kind of work were you doing?” Darboe asked.
“I was doing a security job,” Ousainou replied.
“Were you at work throughout your shift?” Darboe asked.
“Yes, I was at work until around 11 pm then I stepped out,” Ousainou said.
“Where did you go around 23:00,” Counsel Darboe asked.
“I went to the shop,” Ousainou said.
“Where is that shop located?” Darboe asked.
“It is not far from my compound. There are just four compounds between the workplace and the shop,” Ousainou Bojang said.
“What do you step out for?” Darboe asked.
“I went to buy dinner and credit for myself,” Ousainou said.
“Do you recall how long that takes you?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“I did not stay long because some brothers were sitting at the main gate. My brother was among them including Famara Bojang, Bakary Jarju, Junior, and Kalo,” Ousainou said.
“Did you have anything to do with those people?” Darboe asked.
“Yes, when I was going, I called Famara Bojang to look over the place for me because I locked the gate at the back. I told them to look out the gate for me while I went to the shop. However, I found them seated and watching something on Junior’s phone. He told me I could go and he also told me that they saw something very strange on Junior’s phone. Before I left, I asked what it was, and he told me to come and look for myself because they had shut down some police officers. Then I told him that it was a serious issue. Then I reminded him again to look at the place for me while I rushed to the shop. Then I proceeded to the shop, bought my dinner and credit, and went back and asked for my brother Famara as to whether Pap was inside the compound. Then he told me, yes; Pap was inside. Then I went inside and saw Pap, and we had dinner together. Then, after I left the compound and went back to the workplace, I left Famara and his friends sitting outside. At my workplace, there are apartments for rent, and tenants are occupying the place. Sulayman, who is one of the occupants of that building, came out and went to the shop. I asked him whether they were not going out, and Suleiman responded by saying that he was just going to the shop and coming back. Then, I advised him to be very careful because it is just recently we saw on Junior’s phone that police officers were shot with a gun and killed,” Ousainou said.
“Do you know the name of the shopkeeper?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“Yes, I know his name,” Ousainou said.
“What’s his name?” Darboe asked.
“Lamarana Jallow,” Ousainou said.
“How far is your compound from your workplace?” Darboe asked.
“They are attached. It is just a fence between them,” Ousainou Bojang answered.
“After speaking to Sulyaman, did anything happen?” Counsel Darboe asked.
“After a conversation with Sulyaman, I was on my phone chatting on WhatsApp with my boss who resides in the United Kingdom,” Ousainou said.
“What’s the name of your boss?” Darboe asked.
“Kathleen Smith,” Ousainou answered.
The Judge stated that the time was up and he adjourned the matter to 20 November 2024 at 3 pm for the continuation of the case.
