Attorney General Says Bojang Re-Arrests Were Unlawful, Cites Lack of Court Order

By Fatou Sillah

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda A. Jallow, said on Wednesday that he was not aware of any court order authorizing the re-arrest of Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang following their acquittal and discharge by the High Court, calling the incident unlawful and regrettable.

Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Jallow said that once the defendants had been formally released from custody, any subsequent arrest would have required a new court order.

“Release from prison and being rearrested is not lawful; it is regrettable,” he said. “After having been formally released from the prisons, he could not have been re-arrested without a further court order, which I am not aware of.”

He added that authorities intervened after the incident and that the Bojang siblings were released the following morning. “Necessary interventions were done, and he was released immediately the following morning,” he said.

Mr. Jallow also used the briefing to outline the performance of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 2025. He said that of 70 cases concluded during the year, 46 were decided on their merits—meaning they proceeded to a full legal determination rather than being withdrawn or struck out.

Of those cases, he said, prosecutors secured 36 convictions or successfully upheld sentences on appeal, representing a conviction rate of 78 percent among cases decided on merit.

“Of the 70 matters that concluded in 2025, the DPP secured 36 convictions or upheld sentences, representing a conviction rate of 78% on all cases decided on their merits,” He Said.

In addition, 12 cases resulted in acquittals and discharges, while 30 new indictments were filed over the same period, he said.

“Cases decided on merit are those that flowed to a conclusion, while others may be struck out or withdrawn. In 2025, 12 cases ended in acquittal and discharge, and 30 new indictments were filed,” he said.