As the defence provided testimony that might conflict with the prosecution’s timeline, the trial of Ousainou and Amie Bojang, who are charged with killings of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers at the Sukuta Jabang traffic light, took a significant turn on Monday.
The eleventh defense witness, Kathleen McGee, informed the judge that Ousainou Bojang could not have been present at the scene based on a WhatsApp exchange she had with him the night of the alleged incident. Having known Bojang since 2010, McGee, a UK resident and Brufut property owner, hired him for a number of years to provide security and upkeep at her compound next to the Bojang family home.
When questioned by counsel Lamin J. Darboe, McGee stated that the chat with Bojang started on September 12, 2023, at 8:18 PM Gambian time, and lasted for several hours, past midnight in the UK. She stated in her testimony that they had an unbroken conversation about Bojang’s personal problems, such as his relationship with Claudette and threats from a local person.
“I was chatting with Ousainou on WhatsApp from 8 pm to midnight UK time on the night of the shooting incident,” Ms. McGee stated in court.
During their continuous communication, McGee stated that she was positive Bojang could not have been involved.
McGee also described how a neighbor named Sharon Brown contacted her after Bojang was arrested on behalf of Yero Saidy, an investigating officer, who wanted to verify the identity of the person who had been arrested. McGee herself contacted Officer Saidy on September 15 and provided the complete transcript of her WhatsApp exchange as proof that the incorrect person had been arrested. Later, the exchange was presented as evidence in court.
In 2023, McGee acknowledged under cross-examination by prosecution attorney Adama Sillah that she had known Bojang for about 15 years and that he mostly worked nights at her home. She said he could still get a job if he was released.
McGee also made it clear that her security guards are not armed, saying that although they might carry a piece of wood as a deterrent, they are not armed. McGee vehemently denied knowing that Bojang was associated with any gang, group, or rebel force when asked about his purported ties to MFDC rebel members.
The witness also attested to her familiarity with Ousainou’s sister, Amie Bojang, the second accused, whom she had visited at Mile 2 prison during the previous two years.
