Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang at the court.
By Landing Ceesay
In a compelling testimony during the voir dire of his case, Ousainou Bojang, who stands accused in the tragic deaths of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) Officers, revealed to the court the harrowing ordeal he endured at the hands of the Police Anti Crime Unit (ACU). Bojang recounted being physically assaulted while his hands and legs were restrained.
Representing Bojang, Counsel Lamin J. Darboe initiated the trial within a trial, citing concerns over the circumstances surrounding Bojang’s statements obtained by the police.
Allegations of coercion, including the use of drugs and physical abuse, were raised by Counsel Darboe against the police regarding the acquisition of his client’s statements.
However, Police Detective Ebou Sowe, responsible for obtaining Bojang’s statements, refuted these claims, maintaining that Bojang was not subjected to any physical abuse or administered drugs during his time at the Police Anti-Crime Unit from September 13th to 23rd, 2023.
Bojang, while testifying, detailed his detention at the ACU, describing instances of late-night torture inflicted upon him by ACU members.
“On a Friday, when I was from the panel, and taken back to my cell. I was there until late at night when three men came there. The other one’s name is SI Kebba Jobe, the other one is called Musa Bah, the third one is a PIU Officer, but I don’t know his name. When they came to my cell, they removed me from the cell and took me inside the crime camp. The one call SI Jobe told me that I was not ready to tell them the truth. He told me that I was the one who shot the PIU Officers and I had a gun. I told him that I didn’t have a gun. I told him that I had never even touched a gun in my life.
“He told me that, God willing, they will suffocate me to death. Musa Bah also asked me whether I had heard the name Junglers before. I told him that I didn’t know the Junglers and I didn’t know what it meant. He told me that they were even more dangerous than the Junglers. He told me that ‘today will be your last day if you don’t tell us where you kept the gun.’ I told him that I had never had a gun in my life or touched a gun. SI Jobe asked them to remove the handcuff and attach it to the window with my hands. SI Jobe had a baton, and he asked Musa to handcuff my legs and asked me to confess. I told him that I did nothing to confess about. He started hitting me with the baton. Musa Bah had a cutlass. When SI Jobe hits me with the baton, then Musa Bah will also hit me with the side of the cutlass,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.
When questioned about the specific area of his body struck by Musa Bah with a cutlass, Ousainou Bojang testified in court that he was struck on his buttock. Additionally, he informed the court that SI Jobe had struck him on his back with a baton, leaving visible marks. Bojang also mentioned that the handcuffs had left marks on his hands.
During the proceedings, Counsel LJ Darboe inquired whether Bojang would be willing to display the marks to the court if requested. Bojang affirmed, stating that he would indeed show the marks if permitted by the court.
However, Honorable Justice Jaiteh expressed that the marks would not significantly contribute to the evidence, as the court lacked the expertise to determine their age or origin.
“When they beat me already, I was taken back to the cell. I met some of my mates lying down, and I came fell on them,” Ousainou Bojang told the court.
“Did you confess after the experience you went through at the hands of SI Jobe and Musa Bah?” Counsel LJ Darboe asked Ousainou.
“No, I refused to confess, and I told them if they want to kill me, let them do it. But I will not say what I don’t do,” he said.
During another meeting with the members of the Police Anti-Crime Unit, Ousainou Bojang mentioned that he was extracted from his confinement and escorted to a specific office within the Anti-Crime department.
“On a Wednesday night, when I was brought and taken to the cell, Ebou Sowe came and opened the cell and took me out. When he removed me from the cell, he took me to an office. He (Ebou Sowe) brought papers, a lot of papers, and placed them in front of me. He brought palm stamps, and then he asked me to give him my right hand. I gave him my right hand, and he placed it on the stamp, then he placed it on the papers. He (Ebou Sowe) took my fingers and thumb, there were checkboxes on the papers and placed my thumb on them. He took my fingers one after the other and placed them on the boxes of the papers,” Ousainou Bojang testified.
