By Alieu Ceesay
Hundreds of young Gambians, marching under the banner of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), took to the streets of Westfield on Tuesday in an impromptu protest, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Ousainou Bojang and his sister Amie Bojang.
The siblings were dramatically acquitted and discharged just a day earlier by High Court Justice Ebrima Jaiteh in a landmark ruling over the 2023 Sukuta-Jabang police shooting incident. The judge cited weak prosecution evidence and a strong alibi presented by the defence, clearing Ousainou of murder charges in the killing of two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers and the injury of a third, while also discharging Amie from conspiracy accusations.
Emotional scenes unfolded outside Mile Two Central Prisons on Tuesday as the Bojangs prepared to walk free. However, minutes after their anticipated release, they were rearrested following a swift move by the state to appeal the verdict and file a motion to keep them in custody. Authorities cited concerns that the pair might flee the jurisdiction, effectively suspending the court’s order pending a hearing before a vacation judge in the coming weeks.
The rearrest sparked outrage among GALA supporters, who described it as an affront to judicial independence and democratic principles. Led by figures including Honorable Lamin Ceesay of Kiang West and other youths, protesters converged at the busy Westfield junction, waving placards, national flags, and using van carts to amplify their message. The demonstration briefly disrupted traffic as marchers chanted slogans calling for respect of the court ruling and accountability for the slain officers.
Honorable Lamin Ceesay addressed the crowd, declaring, “This is not democratic. Democracy means accountability. Democracy means respect for court orders, and we demand their release. We want the state to tell us who killed the corpses.”
The Spokesman of GALA, Omar Camara, echoed the sentiment: “We are not judges; we are not interested in the appeal process—that must be heard by the court. What is necessary now is that, according to the court, Ousainou did not kill the officers. So we stand with Ousainou and demand accountability for who actually killed the police officers. That is why we are here.”
The case stemmed from a September 2023 incident at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic lights, where two PIU officers, identified as Pateh Jallow and another known as Sang, were shot dead while on duty, and a third sustained injuries. Ousainou Bojang faced charges of murder and causing bodily harm, while his sister Amie was accused of conspiracy.
After years of protracted court hearings, Justice Jaiteh’s Monday judgment was hailed by many as a victory for due process, with the court later granting bail of D50,000 each and requiring two Gambian sureties. Yet the state’s immediate intervention deprived them of their freedom, prompting GALA’s swift mobilization.
As the protest unfolded, PIU officers were deployed to the scene. They dispersed the crowd using tear gas and pursued some youths with batons in an attempt to restore order. No arrests were reported during the demonstration, though several residents in the area were affected by the tear gas, complaining of irritation and discomfort.
GALA organizers maintained that their action was peaceful and focused solely on upholding the rule of law. They stressed that the acquittal shifted the burden back to the state to identify the real perpetrators of the police killings.
The developments have intensified public debate over justice, police accountability, and the balance between state appeals and individual liberty in post-trial proceedings. The Bojang siblings remain at Mile Two Prisons as legal processes continue.
The case continues to draw attention across The Gambia, with many observers watching closely for the outcome of the state’s appeal and the vacation court hearing. Supporters of the Bojangs insist that true democracy requires full respect for judicial decisions, while authorities maintain that legal avenues for appeal must be exhausted to serve justice.
