By: Sainabou Sambou
The High Court in Banjul was gripped by chilling testimony on Wednesday as Ebrima Darboe, the second prosecution witness (PW2), pointed an accusing finger at Bubacarr Drammeh, alleging the accused emerged from behind a palm tree and opened fire during a heated land demarcation in the forests between Gunjur and Berending in March 2019.
Presiding Judge Justice Omar Cham listened intently as Darboe recounted the fateful events that left one man dead and two others fighting for their lives. State Counsel MD Mballow led the examination, while defence lawyer Lamin S. Camara reserved his cross-examination.
Darboe told the courtroom that the trouble stemmed from a decades-old dispute over “Falangba Terro” land in Gunjur, which his family has farmed since their grandfather welcomed Nyfarama Bulwa Sanyang to settle in nearby Berending. He insisted Drammeh had no legitimate claim and was notorious for illegally selling other people’s land.
On 16 March 2019, Darboe and four others – including the deceased Buba Jammeh – went to demarcate their boundary. Three days later, on 19 March, Darboe returned to monitor progress and spotted Drammeh and others clearing the contested area. When he challenged Drammeh, the accused reportedly refused to stop the work on the land.
Darboe said he called the police, only to be told officers would not intervene on-site. Moments later, two men on a motorbike sped away. Then, according to the witness, Bubacarr Drammeh suddenly stepped out from behind a palm tree, raised a gun and fired. Darboe was shot in the leg; Buba Jammeh was killed instantly; and Ebrima Colley was also targeted.
Drammeh, visibly calm in the dock, faces three grave counts: murder of Buba Jammeh, attempted murder of Ebrima Darboe, and attempted murder of Ebrima Colley – all allegedly committed with malice aforethought on 16 March 2019.
The trial continues tomorrow at 12:00 PM.
