A judge threw out evidence from prosecutors at Banjul High Court yesterday. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh refused to accept a police statement from witness Lamin Bojang. The case involves Ousainou Bojang who faces charges for killing two police officers and hurting another person. Defense lawyers fought against using the statement as proof during the murder trial. The prosecution wanted the court to accept Bojang's words as official evidence.
Lamin Bojang gave his statement to police officer Malang Sanyang on September 13, 2023. Director of Public Prosecution Am Yusuf asked the judge to make the statement part of the case record. Defense lawyer Lamin J. Darboe argued that prosecutors broke evidence rules. He said the statement did not show an independent witness was present when police took it. Bojang never signed the paper to prove he actually said those words.
Lawyer Adama Sillah represents second accused person Amie Bojang. Sillah pointed out that evidence law requires independent witnesses for police statements. Both the person giving the statement and the officer taking it must sign the document. The law demands these signatures to make statements valid in court. Police failed to follow proper procedures when they recorded Bojang's words.
Justice Jaiteh ruled that police statements need independent witnesses present. He said both the witness and officer must sign to prove the statement is real. The judge found that Bojang's statement lacked proper signatures from everyone involved. No witness appeared to explain why the statement should count as evidence. The court marked the statement as rejected because nobody signed it properly.
Lamin Bojang gave his statement to police officer Malang Sanyang on September 13, 2023. Director of Public Prosecution Am Yusuf asked the judge to make the statement part of the case record. Defense lawyer Lamin J. Darboe argued that prosecutors broke evidence rules. He said the statement did not show an independent witness was present when police took it. Bojang never signed the paper to prove he actually said those words.
Lawyer Adama Sillah represents second accused person Amie Bojang. Sillah pointed out that evidence law requires independent witnesses for police statements. Both the person giving the statement and the officer taking it must sign the document. The law demands these signatures to make statements valid in court. Police failed to follow proper procedures when they recorded Bojang's words.
Justice Jaiteh ruled that police statements need independent witnesses present. He said both the witness and officer must sign to prove the statement is real. The judge found that Bojang's statement lacked proper signatures from everyone involved. No witness appeared to explain why the statement should count as evidence. The court marked the statement as rejected because nobody signed it properly.
