One Kalilu Bojang, a police officer attached to the Serious Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters of The Gambia Police Force in Banjul, yesterday testified in the ongoing trial involving Ebrima Jeng and Mbaye Jeng.

The duo were charged with receiving stolen properties unlawfully obtained from the Royal Victorial Teaching Hospital drug store. Appearing before Principal Magistrate Edrissa Mbaye,  Detective Bojang, told the court that he recognised the accused persons. He recalled that on April 5th 2009, while on duties at the charged office of the Serious Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters, together with Sgt Naso, he received a message, that there were stolen goods at Number 14 New Street in Banjul, from the  Kombos.

Acting on the received information, Detective Bojang revealed that he went with Sgt Naso and Cpt Sidibeh of Banjul Police Station to the said place. "Upon arrival at the place, we went inside the compound and asked for the owner of one of the houses. Mbaye Jeng, the first accused came out,and he was asked whether he was the owner of the said house and he replied in the positive," he said.

Detective Bojang, who appeared as the Prosecution first witness, further adduced to the court that Sgt Naso then informed him that they were officers of the Gambia Police Force and are working on a tip-off that there were some stolen items inside the said house.
According to him, Sgt Naso then asked him to go inside the house adding that they accompanied the accused into the house, where they found the said items.

He further told the court that the accused was then arrested and taken to the station with the said items. "Upon arrival at the police station, the accused was interrogated and was further asked who gave him the said items. He told investigation officers that one Ebirma Jeng, the second accused, gave him the items for safe keeping."

Asked about the whereabouts of Ebrima Bojang, Detective Bojang adduced to the court that the first accused told them that the second accused lives at Tobacco Road. He then called mobile number of the second accused and informed him that he is at the station.
Based on that information, Detective Bojang went on, "Ebrima Bojang voluntarily came to the station and was asked who gave him the said items.

He (Ebrima Jeng) second accused told us that he got the said items from one Sarjo Dampha, who works at the Medical Health drug store. As investigation continues, Detective Bojang further told that they tried to get hold of the said Sarjo Dampha, but was no where to be seen.

"We went to RVTH to find out from his Co-workers, but we were told that he left that place for a long time. We then invited two of his co-workers to the Serious Crime Unit, where statement was obtained from them," he added. Detective Bojang was also shown the said items in court, which he recognised before being tendered in court and marked as exhibits, without objection from the defence. During cross- examination by Defence Counsel Sidney Riley, Detective Bojang said that he served for sixteen years with the Gambia Police Force. Hearing continues on April 27, 2009.