The trial of Mariama Naba Darboe, who is facing charges under the newly enacted Criminal Offences Act 2025, continued this week with the testimony of the prosecution’s third witness. Darboe is accused of insulting the President and providing false information to public officers, contrary to Section 107(2) of the Act, which criminalizes “parental insults” directed at high-ranking public officials, including the President, Vice President, Ministers, National Assembly Members, and civil servants.
According to the particulars of offence, Darboe allegedly used offensive language—specifically the phrase “motherf***er”—towards President Adama Barrow during an incident that reportedly occurred on 5 July 2025 in Tanji, Kombo South. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case is being heard before Magistrate Jallow, with Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) O. Bobb representing the Inspector General of Police, while Counsel Lamin J. Darboe and F. Conteh appear for the accused.
Taking the stand on Tuesday was Sub-Inspector Kemo Sanyang, a police officer attached to the Anti-Crime Unit in Brufut and a resident of Brikama. Testifying in the Mandinka language, Sanyang confirmed he was on duty at the charge office on the day of the incident.
He told the court that Sergeant Amie Kah brought the accused and a woman identified as Salimatou Yaffa (the first prosecution witness) to the station. According to Sanyang, Yaffa reported that Darboe had directed a parental insult at the President, using the term “motherf***er.” Sanyang further testified that during a heated exchange at the station—he referred to it as “push and pull”—the accused repeated the alleged insult, this time saying, “a motherf****er president.”
Sanyang claimed that he then informed the accused of the new legislation prohibiting such language against public officials. He added that Sergeant Kah corroborated the account, after which he proceeded to take Yaffa’s statement.
Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, Sanyang confirmed that only two officers—himself and Sergeant Dibba—were present at the charge office that day. He also affirmed that Dibba was the officer who recorded both the cautionary and voluntary statements of the accused.
When asked whether he was aware of what Darboe told Sergeant Dibba, Sanyang said he was not, explaining that he had been occupied with another statement while the accused and Dibba were conversing in low tones.
Counsel Darboe countered Sanyang’s testimony, arguing that it was actually Salimatou Yaffa—not the accused—who had uttered the word “motherf**ker” at the charge office. Officer Sanyang, however, stood by his statement and denied the claim. “No, Salimatou did not use that word; it was the accused,” he testified.
Counsel Darboe pressed the witness, stating, “I’m putting it to you that you’re not being truthful to the court by saying Salimatou never used that word.” Sanyang maintained his stance, “I am speaking the truth, the accused is using the word not her.”
Counsel Darbo highlighted officer Sanyang’s earlier statement that Salimatou never used the words, asking if he was “mistaken, or are you trying to mislead the court?” Sanyang responded, “I’m not misleading the court, is what Salimatou reported to the police.”
The defence also raised a discrepancy between the testimony and the accused’s cautionary statement, in which she allegedly admitted to using the word “stupid,” not “motherf***er.” Sanyang said he was unaware of that detail. “I am not aware,” Sanyang replied.
Counsel Darboe concluded by re-asserting, “I’m putting it to you that the accused did not use mother**ker in your presence; it was Salimatou.” Sanyang reiterated his earlier testimony, “That when they arrived, there was push and pull, and she repeated it.”
The cross-examination of Sub-Inspector Sanyang concluded with no further questions from the defence.