By Cecilia E.L. Mendy
The High Court in Banjul on Monday heard testimony from a police officer in the ongoing trial of Salieu Bah, who is facing three charges in connection with an alleged theft and assault in Bijilo on 14 April 2025.
Presiding judge Justice Ebrima Jaiteh was told that Bah allegedly stole 14 Brazilian wigs valued at D238,000 and an Apple iPad worth D51,475, all belonging to Sainabou Sarr. He is further accused of assaulting Fatou Bintou Colley by stamping and kicking her in the stomach while attempting to flee the scene.
Testifying before the court, Dodou Ddom, a police officer attached to Brusubi Police Station with 11 years’ service, said he was informed of a case of housebreaking and theft. He told the court that he visited the scene with the officer in charge of the General Duties Department.
Ddom said he observed bloodstains and broken bottles scattered within the compound, which he described as a large two-storey building with multiple entrances. He added that several items inside the house appeared to have been disrupted.
The witness further told the court that the compound was fitted with a CCTV camera and that footage showed a person resembling the accused. He said Bah admitted wearing a bloodstained T-shirt and using a small bottle of alcohol during the incident. According to Ddom, the footage also showed the accused kicking one of the female occupants as he attempted to escape.
The officer said he took 10 photographs at the scene, which were tendered and marked as exhibits.
Defence counsel E. Colley objected to the admissibility of the photographs, arguing that the prosecution failed to provide copies to the defence in accordance with Section 24(3)(b) of the Constitution. He also challenged their validity as computer-generated evidence.
However, State Counsel S. L. Jobarteh argued that the photographs were relevant and admissible under Section 3 of the Evidence Act.
The case was adjourned to 2 February 2026 for the court’s ruling on the objections and continuation of the trial.
