By: Isatou Sarr
A prosecution witness has testified before the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court that a female passenger publicly insulted President Adama Barrow while aboard a commercial vehicle last month.
Testifying before Magistrate I. Jallow on Wednesday, the first prosecution witness, Salimata Yaffa, told the court that the accused, Mariama Naba Darbo, used offensive language against the President during a traffic hold-up along the Tanji–Turntable highway. The convoy of President Barrow was passing through the area en- route to Sanyang, where he was scheduled to lay a foundation stone for a development project.
Yaffa told the court that the incident occurred between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., when Darbo allegedly asked why traffic had come to a halt. “I told her the President was passing, and she replied, ‘this motherfucker President,’” the witness recounted.
Yaffa said she immediately rebuked the accused, cautioning her that such language was inappropriate and disrespectful, particularly when directed at the head of state. “I reminded her that even in a democratic country, freedom of speech should not be abused,” Yaffa added.
The witness further stated that other passengers also expressed disapproval of Darbo’s alleged remarks and urged her to desist.
Upon reaching the Five Star checkpoint in Brufut, Yaffa reported the incident to a traffic officer, identified in court as Officer Amie. According to the witness, the officer questioned Darbo about her alleged comment. “The officer asked her directly, and she repeated the same insult in front of everyone,” Yaffa testified.
Both women were then escorted to the Brufut Police Station. Yaffa told the court that Darbo reiterated the offensive remarks during police questioning, claiming that the President was “not older than her,” to which officers reportedly responded that insulting the head of state was tantamount to insulting the nation.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Oley Bobb appeared for the Inspector General of Police, while defense lawyers Jarra Jeng and Fa-Kebba Conteh represented the accused.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, 10th July 2025 at 10:00 A.M. for cross-examination of the witness.