By: Isatou Sarr
A 17-year-old girl took the stand on Thursday, September 4, 2025, to testify in the rape case against Dawda Tamba at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court. Tamba has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The case has been adjourned for further testimony from the victim.
According to court documents, on or about July 5, 2025, at an uncompleted building in Brikama, West Coast Region, Dawda Tamba allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a 17-year-old girl under coercive circumstances.
The victim, who testified in the Mandinka language, identified herself as a 17-year-old vendor at Brikama market. She told the court she recognized the accused and knew where the incident occurred.
She explained that after leaving the market one night, she encountered two people she knew before continuing on her way. The accused, Dawda Tamba, began following her. When she reached Jaliba Junction, he stopped her, claiming that the two people she had been talking to were criminals. He then stated that her phone was “under surveillance” and that his “boss” had assigned him to arrest her.
When she asked what she had done, he told her she hadn’t done anything but the two boys he conversed with are criminals, so she needed to go with him “behind the Nema School” to have the surveillance removed. He threatened to take her to the Banjul Police Station if she didn’t comply. Frightened, she followed him.
At the Nema School, she said the accused told her to open her phone and then her WhatsApp. After looking through her messages, he told her that her friend was also a “thief” and that before he could “remove the surveillance,” they would have to “have sex first.” When she refused, he allegedly pulled out a knife, pointed it at her, and said, “If you refuse, I will kill you. I am a ‘para.'” Fearing for her life, she said she had no choice but to give in.
After the act, the accused put his earpiece back on and said, “Boss, I don’t see her,” before telling the victim to leave so his “boss” wouldn’t find them.
The victim’s testimony continued with her describing how the accused then took her to a house he claimed belonged to his “white woman” wife. At this location, he allegedly threatened her with the same knife and forced her to have sex with him a second time.
Afterward, he told her to follow him to the main road near Jah Oil Road, where he took her phone and left.
The case was adjourned to September 16, 17, and 18, 2025, for the continuation of the victim’s testimony.