By: Isatou Sarr
A female police officer attached to Kairaba Police Station Tuesday testified as second prosecution witness in a rape case involving a minor
Ms Turo Fadera, the witness gave a detailed testimony before the Banjul High Court presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, outlining how investigators handled an alleged rape case from the initial report to identification exercises and scene visits linked to the accused.
When the case was first called, Counsel M. Sarr represented the State, while Counsel F. K. Darboe and J. Jeng appeared for the accused person.
Continuing her testimony, Fadera tells the court that she has been a police officer since 2006 and is currently stationed at Kairaba Police Station after previously serving at Abuko. She said she was familiar with the accused person through the police station.
According to her, the matter began on 14 October 2025 when a woman reported to the station with a child alleging that the child had been raped. She said the woman who reported the matter was the child’s guardian.
Ms. Fadera told the court that the child was taken to hospital for medical examination before returning to the station. She said efforts were later made to trace the accused, who eventually presented himself at the police station.
She testified that the accused was questioned and denied the allegation. She added that the child was not present during the initial questioning.
The witness further told the court that an identification exercise was conducted outside the station, where the child was asked to identify the suspect.
She said the child repeatedly pointed out the accused during several rounds of identification, with different individuals brought in during the process.
Ms. Fadera also testified that investigators later visited the scene of the alleged incident, including the accused’s compound and a nearby shop mentioned by the child. She said the child described how she had been sent to buy bread and later taken to the accused’s room, where the alleged incident occurred.
She further told the court that photographs were taken during the investigation and a statement was recorded from the accused.
Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed the timeline of the report and said investigators were not informed of the exact time the alleged incident occurred.
She also acknowledged that many officers were involved in the investigation but said she could not recall all their names.
The case was adjourned to 8 June 2025 at 1:00 p.m. for continuation.