By Nicholas Bass
The prime suspect in the fatal shooting of paramilitary officers at the Sukuta Traffic Lights, Ousainou Bojang, yesterday appeared at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court where he was charged with three counts of murder.
He was arraigned alongside his alleged conspirator Amie Bojang, who was charged with a single count of accessory after the fact to murder contrary to Section 202 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01, Volume 3, Laws of The Gambia 2009. Ousainou is suspected of causing the death of police constables Pateh Jallow and Sang J. Gomez and causing serious injuries to Constable Ancy Jawo currently in her sick bed.
The lead prosecutor Commissioner Abdoulie Sannehapplied for the case of the duo to be transferred to the Banjul High Court as, according to him, they were charged with capital offence that the lower court lacks the jurisdiction to hear such offences.
Commissioner Sanneh also said that the charge pressed against Ousainou and Amie is unbailable.
The lead prosecutor meanwhile urged the court to order the detention of the suspects, pending the hearing and determination of the case at the Banjul High Court.
The accused persons did not have any legal representation on their Thursday court appearance.
The charge sheet read that on or about 12 September 2023, Ousainou Bojang, at Sukuta Traffic Lights and diverse places in the Republic of The Gambia, with malice aforethought, attacked police Constables PatehJallow, Sang J. Gomez and Ancy Jallow and also allegedly caused the death of Pateh Jallow and Sang J. Gomez.
Ousainou now stands trial for two counts of murder with a single count of prohibition to acts of terrorism.
His alleged accomplice, Amie Bojang, stands accused of a single count of accessory after the fact to murder.
