Ousainou Bojang Describes Months of Solitary Confinement After Arrest in Police Killings Case

By Seedy Jobe

Ousainou Bojang, who was acquitted by the High Court of charges connected to the killing of two police officers and the wounding of a third at the Sukuta Jabang traffic light, says he spent nearly three months in solitary confinement after his arrest, a period he described as being held “under seal.”

In an interview on Thursday with Kerr Fatou, Mr. Bojang said the ordeal began at the gate of Mile 2 Central Prison, where security officials confirmed his identity before transferring him and his sister, Amie, who had also been detained, to the facility. The two were first taken to the Riot Squad office, he said, where they were separated for screening.

Mr. Bojang said he was physically searched during that process and alleged that one officer, whom he identified only as Jimbo, grabbed and pressed his jaw after questioning him. He said he was later examined at the prison clinic, while his sister was sent to the female wing.

According to Mr. Bojang, Jimbo instructed prison staff that he was not to be placed in the general remand wing but in what he called “a special place.” Mr. Bojang said he grew suspicious, recalling that the same officer had previously suggested he be handed over to a different party. He quoted Jimbo as telling colleagues, “Don’t worry, I will take him somewhere and seal him.”

After his name, thumbprint, and money were recorded, Mr. Bojang said he was moved to the confinement wing and placed in cell No. 7—a windowless, single-occupancy cell. He said the name “S.B. Sabally” was written beneath the door, which he was told marked it as having previously held former coup plotter Sanna B. Sabally.

Mr. Bojang said he encountered other prominent detainees in the same section, including Yankuba Touray, a one-time member of the AFPRC and cabinet minister in the APRC government; Yankuba Badjie, the former director of the National Intelligence Agency; and a former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, whom he identified as Dr.Banja.

He said the cell’s key remained in the custody of the Riot Squad throughout his confinement, and that he was let out only briefly to bathe or use the bathroom.

“They said they should not open the door for me because I was under seal,” Mr. Bojang said. “The officer said he had my seal and that he was the one who was going to remove it. So I was in that condition for nearly three months—three months under seal.”

Mr. Bojang said that before his lawyer arrived, he was brought from the confinement wing to the office of Jimbo, whom he described as the operations commander at the time. Deputy Director Keita Saidy was also present, he said.

He said Jimbo told him there was closed-circuit television footage showing him at the scene, dressed in a kaftan and holding a gun, shooting the three officers. Mr. Bojang said he challenged the officer to release the footage publicly.

“Then this issue should end. I don’t think this issue should even reach the courthouse,” he recalled telling Jimbo. “Bring that video out. Let all the citizens see it. If it’s me, talk should not be much — just kill me straight away. The one who killed them, you have the video. Bring that video and let the whole country see it.”

Mr. Bojang also said Jimbo accused him and his family of being supporters of the United Democratic Party. He denied the allegation, saying he had never attended a political rally, never voted, and never held a voter’s card.

He said Jimbo later told him that the third officer wounded in the shooting had survived. Mr. Bojang said he responded by urging that the surviving officer be brought in to identify him, if he was indeed the gunman. He alleged that Jimbo replied that he was “not mad” enough to arrange such a meeting for me to finish him.”

During questioning, Mr. Bojang said, officers summoned Jimbo’s orderly, identified as Ablie Jammeh — a former senior schoolmate of his — to corroborate details about his home community of Brufut Sanchaba and its political leanings.

The allegations described in this account are Mr. Bojang’s own and have not been independently verified. Prison and police officials named have not yet responded to it.