The victim of hot water assault testified in the ongoing case of The Inspector General of Police vs. Jainaba Faye. The victim, Mam Jarra Jarjue, a cook from Serrekunda, took the stand to recount a dispute over food prices that allegedly ended in a brutal hot water assault.
The incident, which took place on January 20, 2026, began at a food stall in Bakoteh. Mam Jarra Jarjue testified that the friction started over the sale of a “stuffed pie.”
According to Mam Jarra Jarjueโs testimony, a customer was sold a pie for D50 instead of the standard D75 because the kitchen had run out of chips and vegetables and the price reduction sparked a confrontation with the accused, Jainaba Faye.
Mam Jarra Jarjue (victim) claimed that Jainaba Faye (accused) questioned their authority to lower prices and accused the staff of stealing claiming she had been tipped off by a chef from a nearby establishment.
Mam Jarra Jarju (victim) further alleged that the atmosphere became increasingly hostile when a friend of the accused, identified as “Aja,” arrived. Mam Jarra Jarjue claimed that during the period, Jainaba Faye began questioning her and her co-worker, Marie, regarding private matters concerning her (Jainaba Faye) marriage, allegedly hurling insults at them in the process.
The situation turned physical at approximately 3:00 PM. Mam Jarra Jarjue told the court: Mam Jarra Jarjue recounted that Marie had been asked to leave, leaving her alone to manage the kitchen tasks, including heating oil.
Mam Jarra Jarjue described the final moments before the alleged assault.
“The accused was in the food truck on a phone call. I heard her tell the person on the phone, ‘These kids know nothing about me, they are lying,’ before hanging up.”
Following the call, Mam Jarra Jarjue testified that Jainaba Fayeโs friend, Aja, suggested they count the sales money to settle the theft allegations. Mam Jarra Jarjue further testified that as she led the way into the room to perform the count, the accused allegedly ambushed her.
“As I pushed the door open to enter, a plastic bowl with hot water was poured on my face by the accused,” Mam Jarra Jarjue told the hushed courtroom.
Prosecution moved for the identification of the alleged weapon. When asked if she could identify the vessel used in the attack, Mam Jarra Jarjue described a white and purple plastic bowl.
The prosecution produced a white and purple plastic bowl, which Jarjue positively identified as the vessel used to pour the hot water. While the victim positively identified it, the accused, Jainaba Faye, stood to object. Faye argued that the bowl presented was a standard kitchen tool used to collect and pour oil into the deep fryer, insisting it was not the vessel used during the incident.
Despite the objection, Magistrate A. Manneh granted the prosecution’s application to tender the bowl as evidence, marking it as Exhibit PA1.
The court adjourned to 16th February, 2026, at 10:00 AM, for continuation.
