The fourth witness, Lamin Foofana, a watchman from Sukuta, took the stand and testified in the murder trial involving Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang.
Ousainou Bojang, a resident of Brufut, stands accused of murder, attempted murder, committing a terrorist act, and assault causing grievous bodily harm and Amie Bojang faces charges of being an accessory after the fact to murder.
The prosecution alleges that on September 22nd, at the Sukuta traffic light, Ousainou Bojang took out a gun and shot three police officers, killing two and injuring one.
Representing the state was the DPP A.M. Yusuf, while Lamin J. Darboe represented the first accused, and H. Faragre presented the second accused. When the proceedings commenced, the DPP informed the court that the fourth witness was present and ready to testify.
The witness State began his testimony (examination-in-chief) led by State Counsel A.M Yusuf asking the witness to state his name, address, and profession. The witness, Lamin Foofana, stated that he is a watchman residing near the Sukuta traffic light.
State Counsel: Do you know someone named Adama Jobe?
Witness: Yes.
State Counsel: How are you related to him?
Witness: He’s my uncle.
State Counsel: Can you recall the incident of September 22nd, 2023, the day of the incident (PIU shooting)?
Witness: I cannot remember the date, but I came from Mosque prayers and sat on a fence, and that’s when the incident took place.
State Counsel: Can you confirm that an incident occurred in Sukuta?
Witness: No, I cannot confirm that, but after returning from mosque prayers, I saw my uncle, Jobe, chasing someone whom he referred to as a thief. I threw a stone at him, and the person threw something back at me, but I managed to dodge it.
State Counsel: What happened next?
Witness: I chased after the person to apprehend him, but I couldn’t catch him. I had to return because my house door was not locked. I went back to where I was sitting and saw a gun.
State Counsel: Where did the gun come from?
Witness: I do not know where the gun came from, but when the person running threw something an (object), I bent my head to avoid being hit which I believe is the gun.
State Counsel: So, the person running threw the gun at you?
Witness: Yes, he tried to hit me with the gun.
State Counsel: What did you do when you saw the gun?
Witness: I picked it up and threw it away.
State Counsel: Where did you throw it?
Witness: I threw it in an empty land next to our house.
State Counsel: Can you tell the Court where exactly the location is?
Witness: It was a compound opposite our compound.
State Counsel: Was the person running wearing any clothing?
Witness: Yes.
State Counsel: What type of color?
Witness: I cannot state the color, but it was a halftan
State Counsel: Can you remember what the man looks like?
Witness: No, cannot remember him
State Counsel: If you see the man can you identify him?
At that point, defense Counsel J. Darboe interrupted, objecting to the question as leading the witness. The Judge overruled the objection.
State Counsel: Can you recognize the appearance of the person running?
Witness: No, I cannot remember.
State Counsel: If you were to see the person, would you be able to identify him?
Witness: No, I would not be able to recognize the person.
State Counsel: After throwing the gun in the empty land, what happened next?
Witness: I called my boss, Ansumana Tunkara, who instructed me not to tell anyone about what happened. He said he would arrange for someone to retrieve the gun.
State Counsel: Was this on the same night of the incident?
Witness: Yes, it was the same night.
State Counsel: Did you inform anyone, as per your boss’s instructions?
Witness: No, I did not inform anyone.
State Counsel: Did your boss eventually arrange for someone to collect the gun?
Witness: Yes.
State Counsel: When did that happen?
Witness: It was on Friday.
State Counsel: Can you remember the type of gun?
Witness: You know, I don’t know much about guns. So, how can I answer that?
Defense Counsel J. Darboe then took the floor to cross-examine the witness regarding his testimony. Defense Counsel J. Darboe then proceeded with the cross-examination of the witness to challenge his testimony. Counsel J. Darboe started by questioning the witness about the day he provided his statement to the police.
Witness: Yes, I remember.
Counsel: Do you recall the exact day?
Witness: It was on a Friday.
Counsel: Was it the first Friday after the incident?
Witness: I cannot recall which Friday, but it was a Friday
Counsel: Do you remember the telephone number you provided to the police?
Witness: Yes.
Counsel: Can you provide the number?
Witness: 7957745.
Counsel: Do you have any other telephone numbers?
Witness: No, that is the only number I have.
Counsel: Did you provide any other numbers to the police apart from your own?
Witness: No, I only provided my number.
Counsel: How old are you?
Witness: I am 23 years old.
Counsel: What is your occupation?
Witness: I am a watchman.
Counsel: Did you thumbprint your statement?
Witness: Yes, I did.
Counsel: And you left your statement with the police?
Witness: Yes, I left it with the police.
Counsel J. Darboe then requested the production of the witness’s statement and applied for it to be admitted as an exhibit. With no objections from both the state counsel and the second defense counsel, the document was marked and admitted as Exhibit D4.
Counsel J. Darboe: Mr. Foofana, you mentioned that you have no knowledge about the gun, is that correct?
Witness: Yes, I have no knowledge about the gun.
Counsel J. Darboe: When you picked up the gun, was it dismantled or assembled?
Witness: It was dismantled.
Counsel J. Darboe: How did you manage to gather the pieces together?
Witness: I only grabbed them and threw them away.
Counsel J. Darboe: Do you have any idea about the type of gun it was?
Witness: No, I don’t know.
Counsel J. Darboe: In your statement, you mentioned two people, Ansumana Tunkara and Amara Tunkura. Are they the same individuals?
Witness: No, they are different people. Ansumana Tunkara is my boss.
At this point, Counsel J. Darboe concluded his cross-examination, stating that he had no further questions for the witness. The defense counsel for the second accused did not question the witness either, and the state counsel had no plans for re-examination.
With no further question, the presiding Judge Justice Jaiteh discharged the witness and adjourned the case to tomorrow for the testimony of the fifth state witness.
Note: I decided to bring it a verbatim transcription because of the testimony, cross-examination, and answers of the witness to capture the whole proceedings for better understanding.
By: Kexx Sanneh
