Two Separate Brufut Murder Cases Progress at Banjul High Court

Written by: Mama A. Touray

Two separate murder cases linked to incidents in Brufut progressed before the Banjul High Court on May 4th 2026, with one matter adjourned for the testimony of a pathologist while the other closed for judgment. Both cases are being prosecuted by State Counsel M. Sarr and involve Defence Counsel F.C. Anyanwu, with pathologist Dr. Ousman Leigh of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) also featuring in the proceedings.

In the first case, Mariama Jallow is standing trial over the alleged fatal stabbing of 16 year old Cherno Touray during an incident said to have occurred on November 29th 2023 in Brufut.

Proceedings focused on the production of the deceased’s postmortem report after the defence previously informed the court that the document could not be traced in the police file.

Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, Chief Medical Doctor at EFSTH, appeared before the court with a copy of the report, while Counsel M. Sarr produced what he described as the original copy obtained from the police.

Dr. Bittaye explained that the original report is usually handed over to investigators after examinations are conducted. He further clarified that the hospital personnel responsible for producing the document had been engaged in another court matter, resulting in the delay.

Counsel M. Sarr informed the court that the application compelling the hospital to produce the report became necessary because the prosecution initially did not have access to the document and now intended to tender it into evidence.

The court, however, declined to admit the document without the presence of the pathologist who prepared it, maintaining that the report could only be tendered through the medical expert responsible for the examination.

Following an application by Counsel M. Sarr for an adjournment to enable the pathologist to testify, and with no objection from the defence, the matter was adjourned to June 8th 2026 at 10am.

Mariama Jallow has pleaded not guilty to the charge and remains in state custody pending the outcome of the trial.

In the second Brufut murder case, oral submissions closed in the trial involving Ismaila Janneh, who is accused of murdering Alieu Jallow on December 28th 2023 at Brufut Ghana Town in Kombo North, West Coast Region.

According to the particulars of offence, Ismaila Janneh allegedly caused the death of Alieu Jallow by stabbing him in both legs and the back with a knife.

During final submissions, State Counsel M. Sarr argued that the prosecution had established all elements of murder beyond reasonable doubt.

He relied on eyewitness testimony, the death certificate tendered as Exhibit P2, and the postmortem report marked as Exhibit P3.

The prosecution also referenced evidence from pathologist Dr. Ousman Leigh, who conducted the postmortem examination and concluded that the cause of death involved severe injuries, including puncture wounds to the lung and chest area consistent with stabbing.

Counsel further cited the testimony of eyewitness Babucarr Manneh, who allegedly saw the accused stab the deceased during a confrontation.

According to the prosecution, the accused also admitted being present at the scene and participating in the fight, thereby placing himself at the centre of the incident under trial.

The prosecution maintained that the use of a knife on a vital part of the body demonstrated malice aforethought and intention to cause death or grievous bodily harm.

Defence Counsel F.C. Anyanwu, however, argued that the accused acted in self-defence after allegedly being subjected to unlawful violence by the deceased.

He further contended that no knife was tendered before the court and that the prosecution relied mainly on the testimony of a single eyewitness.

Counsel also pointed out that while the pathologist confirmed puncture wounds on the deceased, he did not specifically state that a knife caused the injuries.

The defence subsequently urged the court to find that the accused acted reasonably in defending himself during the confrontation.

The matter was later adjourned to June 29th 2026 for judgment.