Africa-Press – Gambia. The high-profile trial of Ousainou Bojang—accused of fatally shooting two police officers and injuring a third at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic lights—resumed with testimony from the third defence witness, Famara Bojang, the accused’s brother. Famara provided crucial details, including claiming ownership of a pair of shoes presented in court and linked by police to Ousainou.
Famara testified under examination by Defence Counsel Lamin J. Darboe that the shoes in question belonged to him. When asked to try them on in court, both a brown and a green pair fit him, supporting his claim.
Recounting events on the night of the alleged shooting, Famara stated that Ousainou visited his home between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM to apologize for a previous dispute involving a woman referred to as his “white lady.” Ousainou then went to see their stepfather, Kotubo, and attempted to visit another brother, Pa Bojang, who was not home at the time. According to Famara, Ousainou returned around 11:00 PM and spoke briefly with Pa Bojang.
Shortly thereafter, Ousainou asked Famara to watch over his lodge while he went to a nearby shop. Before leaving, they were shown a report on Junior’s phone from What’s On Gambia about a police shooting at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic light. Famara said he, Ousainou, and Bakary were all visibly shocked by the news. Ousainou then left for the shop and returned shortly after, instructing Famara to go inside the lodge while he remained outside before eventually going to bed.
Famara further testified that Ousainou later contacted him seeking help concerning his troubled relationship with a foreign woman, saying it was the second time such a relationship had ended poorly. Famara offered no solution but promised to speak with their brother. The following day, Ousainou followed up, and Famara advised him to consult their sister, Amie Bojang.
Famara stated that was the last time he saw or heard from Ousainou until he was informed by another brother about social media reports implicating Ousainou in the police shooting. This information included images and an audio recording from a woman named Mama Jabbi.
During cross-examination, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) questioned Famara about his profession, which he identified as welding, and confirmed their stepfather’s name as Kotubo. He acknowledged that Ousainou had previously shown him a photo of a woman on his phone, whom he recognized, but clarified it was not the white woman he referred to earlier.
“You said when Ousainou shows you a picture in his phone, you recognize the woman,” DPP asked.
“Yes, I recognized her,’ Famara responded.
“Do you know that Ousainou has a white woman,” DPP inquired.
“Yes,” Famara affirmed
“Would you recognize her,” DPP asked
“Yes,” Famara replied
When asked if she was the woman Ousainou had shown him on his phone, he clarified that she was not the white woman Ousainou had referred to.
“Who’s Muhammad that you mentioned,” DPP asked
“He’s Ousainou’s brother living in Italy,” Famara replied
“You mentioned that around 23:00 Ousainou met you,” DPP asked
“Yes,” Famara replied
“He met you at the same place where you were sitting,” DPP asked
“Yes,” Famara replied
When asked if he knew Mama Jabbi, Famara Bojang stated that he did not know her personally but had heard her name mentioned in an audio recording sent to him by his brother, Muhammad, who resides in Italy, in connection with Ousainou.
Under questioning by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) about whether he had listened to the entire audio, Famara affirmed that he had, noting that he heard the same recording broadcast by other media outlets, consistent with the one he had received.
Famara also confirmed that Ousainou had met with Pa Bojang at his residence. When asked how he knew this, he explained that their houses were adjacent, sharing the same veranda.
Justice Jaiteh, from the bench, asked whether Famara had been arrested by the police. He responded that he encountered the police when they came to the house and requested Ousainou’s phone. Pa Bojang handed over the phone, and Ousainou was arrested.
Famara described subsequent police visits, during which officers collected clothes from Ousainou’s residence and questioned him about a pair of shoes found on the veranda. The police attempted to seize the shoes, claiming they belonged to Ousainou. Famara insisted the shoes were his and even showed a photo on his phone to support his claim. Despite this, the officer accused him of lying, told him to “shut up,” and threatened to arrest him if he continued to argue.
He further testified about the arrests of Amie Bojang and Pa Bojang. He recounted that after Pa Bojang’s arrest, he informed Ndey about clothes Ousainou had given her to wash. Ndey was subsequently arrested after stating she had not washed them.
The court later presented a pair of brown and green shoes found in the exit store and asked Famara to identify them. He confirmed that both pairs belonged to him. When ordered to wear the shoes, Famara did so, and the court observed that both pairs fit him.
Under further cross-examination by Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, Famara confirmed that he had been arrested and detained by the police for three days at the Anti-Crime Unit, during which he made a statement to an officer named Ceesay.
Counsel Darboe then requested the court to compel the DPP to produce Famara’s statement, noting previous unsuccessful attempts to obtain it.
The DPP responded that the statement was not included among the documents provided to him by the police, despite his formal request for all relevant materials.
Justice Jaiteh issued an order directing the Commissioner of the Anti-Crime Unit to produce Famara Bojang’s statement.
Emphasizing the importance of the statement for a fair and just determination of the murder trial, the court underscored its constitutional and statutory duty to ensure fairness and its inherent authority to require the production of essential evidence.
Accordingly, the court ordered the Commissioner of the Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force to produce, on or before June 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM, any written statements or records obtained from Mr. Famara Bojang during his alleged detention in relation to the ongoing trial.
“If no such statement was obtained, the Commissioner is directed to submit an affidavit setting forth the basis for such a denial,” the order states.
The order must be served immediately and personally through the Office of the Inspector General of Police. The court warned that failure to comply could constitute contempt and may invoke the court’s coercive powers.
The case was adjourned to June 2, 2025, pending the production of the requested statement.
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