By: Cecilia E.L. Mendy
An immigration officer on Tuesday testified before the High Court in Banjul in the alleged murder trial of Arona Tine.
Musukuta Jarju appeared before the court presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh.
The accused, Arona Tine, is charged with murder, contrary to Section 187 and punishable under Section 188 of the Criminal Code.
The prosecution alleges that on Jan. 19, 2024, at HM Bureau Exchange in Westfield, Kanifing Municipality, the accused, with malice aforethought, caused the death of Fatoumata Kagbo, a staff member of the bureau, by stabbing her in the chest with a knife.
Testifying as a prosecution witness, Jarju, a civil servant, told the court that she recognised the accused at Westfield in 2024.
She said that on the day of the incident she was standing opposite Alvihag Supermarket near Gamtel, waiting for a vehicle, when a man approached her and urged her to enter the bureau to see what had happened.
According to her, she initially declined, stating that she was an immigration officer and not a police officer. She said she later became emotional after seeing the deceased being carried out of the bureau.
The witness said she contacted a police officer identified as Superintendent Sarr, who advised her to mobilise people at the scene.
She testified that upon arrival, Superintendent Sarr instructed the accused to open the door after he had locked himself inside a bathroom. She said access was eventually gained and the accused was found with injuries.
He was subsequently taken to hospital.
Jarju told the court that she did not witness the stabbing but was informed by a man at the scene that the accused had stabbed the deceased and then himself.
She further testified that she saw a knife lying on the ground at the scene and observed that the accused had sustained an injury to his neck.
Counsel F. Drammeh represented the State, while Counsel Samuel Ade appeared for the accused.
The case was adjourned to March 3, 2026.
