By: Nicholas Bass
Bakary Mankajang, a journalist, testified in the Banjul High Court on Monday, recounting a conversation with Alfusainey, the head of Jululum Garage, about Ousainou Bojang, a man accused of killing two police officers and seriously injuring a third.
Mankajang, who is the tenth defense witness, told the court that Alfusainey had informed him that Bojang had confided in him about a dispute with his white partner, which led him to flee to Senegal in search of help from a marabout.
When defense lawyer Lamin J. Darboe pressed Mankajang to confirm if this statement was made during a filmed interview, Mankajang clarified that he did not have the footage in his possession.
However, Mankajang did reveal that his colleague, Lamin Fatty of Kerr Fatou, had recorded the conversation with Alfusainey, during which he described Bojang’s dispute with his white partner.
Mankajang further testified that when Alfusainey realized that they had set up cameras to record the interview, he quickly changed his position and became reluctant to make further statements.
The journalist continued, stating that Alfusainey told him Bojang had come to him asking for assistance in locating the marabout. Alfusainey had allegedly directed Bojang to Mama Jabbie, a marabout known for her spiritual guidance.
According to Mankajang, Alfusainey mentioned that when Mama Jabbie met Bojang, she immediately recognized him as someone running from a crime he had committed in The Gambia.
Mankajang testified that Mama Jabbie, upon seeing Bojang, identified him as the PIU (Paramilitary Intervention Unit) shooter.
At this point, defense attorney Lamin J. Darboe asked Mankajang to confirm whether he had the interviews of Mama Jabbie and Alfusainey. In affirmative, Mankajang confirmed that he did.
In response, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, the presiding judge, ordered Mankajang to produce these interviews at the next adjournment.