The court witnessed an emotional defence of Amie Bojang, the sister of the alleged PIU shooting accused Ousainou Bojang, which began today in court. Amie Bojang is charged with accessory after the fact, meaning aiding her brother’s escape following the fatal September 12, 2023, incident at the Sukuta Jabang Traffic Light.
Appearing as a defence witness, Amie Bojang broke down in tears as she narrated the events leading to her arrest and subsequent detention at Mile 2. Amie Bojang told the court that she was born in Brufut and is married in Yundum and fully recalled the events of 12th September 2023, the alleged crime leading to her detention at Mile 2 and appearing in Court.
In her tearful testimony, she explained that her brother was struggling with personal issues and was not a fugitive who fled a crime. She continued and explained the circumstances leading to Ousainou’s travel to Casamance, Senegal
She told the court that Ousainou came to her in Yundum and confessed he had spent D40,000 of his “white lady’s” money claiming the white lady was threatening to share his nudes online and needed a Marabout (spiritual healer) intervention to stop her.
She (Amie) called her sister in Kolda, Senegal, to arrange for Ousainou to seek help from a Marabout (spiritual healer) there, but the sister responded that she was in Kanilai for a funeral, but promised to come to Brufut after the funeral to go with Ousainou to Kolda. Amie added that the sister, however, was delayed by a funeral in Kanilai.
Ousainou, desperate to see a Marabout quickly to stop the “white lady” from “destroying her life,” insisted on travelling that immediate day, but she convinced Ousainou to return to Brufut and after Ousainou left she called Ousainou’s brothers to help him who responded that they were also trying to find him a Marabout
Amie Bojang testified that the following morning, Wednesday, she travelled to Brikama Market to buy ingredients for her ‘Ebbeh’, Ousainou called, asking her to book him a vehicle to Senegal due to the constant pressure from the white lady.
She (Amie) hired an ash colour taxi from Brikama near Box-ba for D1,100, and called Ousainou informing him of the amount for the taxi, and Ousainou responded that he did not have such an amount but managed to pay for the taxi, and she left with the taxi to Brufut.
Upon arrival, she met Ousainou at their house in Brufut, where he was seen chatting with workers who were wiring the house around 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and told Ousainou that the taxi was here, and he needed to be fast as she was going to cook.
Amie Bojang explained that she and Ousainou entered the taxi as they travelled toward Yundum, their vehicle was stopped and inspected by PIU officers at the Turntable, Sukuta Traffic Light, and Airport Junction, and allowed to proceed.
She stated that she, Ousainou, and the taxi driver were all “discussing the white lady” during the journey. Upon reaching her junction, she wanted to alight to go and cook, but Ousainou pleaded with her to continue with him to Brikama.
Upon reaching Brikama Garage, the taxi driver suggested taking them to Darsilameh, where motorbikes could take them to the border. They paid an extra fee for the extended trip, even though neither of them knew Darsilameh.
At Darsilameh, Ousainou took a motorbike to Jululung for D250. Before leaving, Ousainou gave her his black bag containing his National Identity Card and Passport, asking her to go home with them and promising to return the following day.
At Darsilameh, Ousainou hired a motorbike in Jululung for D250. Before he left, Ousainou gave her his black bag containing his National Identity Card and Passport, asking her to take them home and promising to return the following day. Amie then returned to Brikama with the same taxi driver, paying a total of D2,100 for her transport then boarding another vehicle to her Yundum home.
Back in Yundum, she started cooking and later went to sell her ‘Ebbeh’ around 6 p.m. Her neighbour, Nuha Darboe, called and urged her to check the media. While not having credit, she sent someone to buy credit. After buying credit, she logged into WhatsApp and saw Ousainou’s picture in their Brufut group with news of his arrest in Jululung.
Confused, she told her neighbour that she could not understand the news, as Ousainou had only gone to Jululung to seek Marabout help for his issue with the white lady. The neighbour played an audio featuring a low voice of a relative, Mama Jabbie, saying, “heh Ousainou, what have you done?”
She called her brother, Lamin Bojang, asking him about the rumours, which confirmed he had also heard the information in the media, but advised her to take the matter slowly. Shortly after, her sister Tida Bojang called, crying and asking, “Amie, don’t you see Ousainou’s picture online that he killed two police officers at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic?” She advised not to believe the news, telling her Ousainou had done nothing wrong, and ended the call.
Amie testified that she called Ousainou’s phone, but an unknown person answered. When she identified herself as Ousainou’s biological sister, the person replied that Ousainou had gone to the toilet and would be informed upon return, and she asked for the person’s name, but the person refused to give his name by not responding.
She then attempted to contact family members in Brufut none were picking up their calls, fearing for her family, she took a taxi to Brufut, only to find the compound surrounded by paramilitary officers and introduced herself as a member of the family and wanted to enter the compound but the paramilitary officer refused her entry, stating they were working at the time.
Later, upon entering the compound, she was informed that her brother Lamin Bojang and her sister’s husband had been arrested. The next day, Ousainou was brought in by police searching his house and workplace, but nothing was found.
She also stated an incident where an officer named Fakebba allegedly tried to force Ousainou to wear a pair of shoes that were not his and did not fit Ousainou, but the officer put the pair of shoes in a paper bag and left.
She explained that after fifteen (15) minutes, the officer returned and asked for Amie Bojang. Upon identifying herself, she was arrested and taken to Banjulinding.
At Banjulinding, they asked about my relationship with Ousainou, and I explained. Then, they told me I was the one who accompanied Ousainou to run to Jululung after shooting the police officers, and I denied the allegation. They also told me that the UDP sent Ousainou Bojang to kill the officers. I replied that we are not involved in politics, which annoyed them.
Then, the questions and answers session continued between her and the police about Ousainou’s travel from the taxi to Cassamace. I told the police about the taxi driver who took us to Darsilameh. Following her information, the police called the taxi driver for questioning at the Anti-Crime Unit, and he was later released.
She also stated being asked for the location of the motorbike rider. I told them I had never been to Darsilameh, but if I saw him, I would recognise him.
Amie Bojang also testified that on their way, Inspector Lamin Cham, who was part of the panel, showed her a picture on his mobile at the Airport Junction. He asked if I recognised Ousainou. She replied to him that she had taken care of Ousainou since childhood and would recognise him. When shown the picture, the man in the picture was wearing a black coat, and she told Inspector Lamin Cham that the man did not resemble Ousainou Bojang. Inspector Lamin Cham laughed and locked his phone.
She added that the police visited her house in Yundum searched the house, including the bathroom, and she was later returned to the Anti-Crime Headquarters. The next day, a man came and took her statement.
Amie Bojang’s testimony adjourned for continuation on Monday, 15th December at 11 am.
By Kexx Sanneh
