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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Mar 2015 : 19:26:40
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Snippet:
"The officers then shot at the car in order to force a stop, but the bullet instead hit a lady who was sitting at the backseat of the taxi leading to her death."
Monday, March 09, 2015
A lady was killed on Saturday night in Manjai Kunda after she was hit by a bullet shot by some security officers pursuing a fleeing taxi driver.
The lady, whose full identity is yet to be verified, was, together with a man, on the backseat of the fleeing taxi, which “refused to stop” at a checkpoint mounted in Manjai.
“On Saturday 7 March, between 11:00 and 11:45 pm, personnel of the joint security task force were mounting a routine night vehicle check point at Manjai Kunda. Vehicles that came by were flagged, checked and allowed to move on,” Police public relations officer ASP David Kujabi told this paper yesterday while shedding more light on the incident.
“However, a taxi with registration number BJL 7039 G came by and upon reaching the checkpoint, the driver sped on refusing to stop. A warning shot was fired, but the driver kept on driving at top speed. This being a sure suspicious behaviour, the security officers boarded their patrol vehicle and pursued the fleeing driver.
“A second warning shot was again fired, but the driver again failed to heed and instead led the officers on a wild chase. They eventually overtook the taxi and braked in front to force it to stop, but the driver swerved taking a quick turn and drove through a narrow road nearby.
“The officers then shot at the car in order to force a stop, but the bullet instead hit a lady who was sitting at the backseat of the taxi leading to her death.
“This unfortunate tragic incident is regrettable, but it must be noted that the security forces of The Gambia will not be complacent in ensuring the security of this nation and its people, and this happening not long after the December terror attack meant that all necessary means had been employed to stem a recurrence.
“The general public is, therefore, warned to respect these checkpoints and cooperate with the security forces as they are meant to ensure their own security.”
The deceased, up to the time of going to press, was said to be at the hospital, whilst the arrested driver is presently helping the police with their investigations.
Author: Osman Kargbo
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/police-warning-shot-at-fleeing-taxi-leaves-one-lady-dead
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2015 : 11:51:09
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Young Lady allegedly shot dead in Erinjang/Kotu
By Sailu Bah
Foroyaa: Published on March 9, 2015
Ya Binta Jarju, a young lady in her late twenties, who was residing in Banjul, was reported to have been allegedly shot dead by security
personnel while in a Mercedes Benz taxi in Erinjang/Kotu on Saturday night, March 7. The incident occurred near the entrance of the compound owned by the Gomez family which is about 120 metres off the Kotu Silo road after the bridge.
According to some of the residents in the area who spoke to this reporter, they heard about 3 gun shots between 11.30pm and midnight that night and that when they came out of their houses as it was very windy and cold, they found a taxi vehicle by the entrance of the said compound.
A resident, who prefers anonymity, said they were asked to stay away by security personnel in dark outfits when they initially wanted to come to the scene immediately after the gunshots were heard. He said the taxi had three occupants including the driver, and that one of the passengers, the lady, who was at the back seat, was shot. He said the back windscreen was smashed into pieces.
This reporter can confirm bloodstains covered with sand at the spot where the vehicle was said to have stopped near the fence of the compound.
“We initially thought the sound was from fireworks, but my brother insisted that what he heard were gunshots. Upon hearing this, we all ran into our house and were peeping from the window,” said a lady living nearby.
One of the eye witnesses, who was said to have given a statement to the police concerning the incident, declined to talk to this reporter.
Visiting the Kairaba police station to enquire about the driver who was said to have been taken away, this reporter was told that he was not held there.
A source close to the family of the deceased confirmed the incident and added that the corpse is at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
Efforts to contact the Police PRO were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on his phone.
The late Ya Binta Jarju was born on 20 August 1987 and was a staff of Yandi Juice Company in Kanifing Industrial Estate. She was residing at 14 Perseverance Street in Banjul.
Source: Foroyaa
THE PRICE OF IMPUNITY
Foroyaa Editorial: Published on March 9, 2015
When power is not governed by laws, it is exercised without restraint.
Such a power becomes absolute and dangerous.
The shooting of Ya Binta Jarju is a reminder of the need to train allthose who are part of a security apparatus to carry out their duties in accordance with the dictates of law and standard of best practice. They should take their fellow citizens not like hostages under their watch but as brothers and sisters under their care.
Sovereignty resides in the people. It is the sovereign person who should be protected at all times.
One could imagine the grief which Binta’s friends and family members are enduring after shooting at a security check point led to her death.
Is that the Gambia we should build after 50 years of Independence?
Foroyaa will continue to monitor developments as the family and friends wait for answers and explanation surrounding Binta’s death. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2015 : 07:30:43
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Ya Binta Jarju finally laid to rest
By Sailu Bah
Foroyaa: Published on March 10, 2015
Ya Binta Jarju, the 27 year old lady, who was shot dead by a personnel of the ‘Joint Security Forces’ on Saturday night, has been finally laid to rest yesterday, 9 March, 2015 at the Old Jeshwang Cemetery.
A large crowd of grieving relatives from the Gambia and the Casamance region of Senegal, friends, co-workers, Red Cross volunteers andneighbours converged at the Banjul mortuary in the morning and later escorted the corpse to the Independence Drive Mosque before finally taking it to its final resting place for burial around 4.30 pm.
Speaking to this reporter, a tearful Awa Jarju, the younger sister of the late Ya Binta Jarju, said it is their breadwinner who is taken
away from them.
She described her late elder sister as very supportive and irreplaceable. “After the death of our father last year, it was YA Binta who assumed
the responsibility of supporting the family. She was the breadwinner of the family who was taking care of everything including feeding,
rent, school fees and other basic necessities. We have really lost our support,” said the sobbing younger sister.
Ya Awa explained that their mother, Fatou Badjie, is a widow, who engages in petty trade at the Banjul Market to assist Ya Binta in covering some of from it.
She said the late Ya Binta was the eldest child in a family of 6 siblings (two girls and four boys).
Explaining how they came to learn about this tragic incident, Ya Awa said Ya Binta left home at around 6pm on that fateful day to attend a social event at Manjai Kunda. “At around 8pm I called her to enquire where she was and she told me that she’ll be coming home soon. Later that evening around midnight, I received a call on my phone from another number with a man’s voice asking me to come to Kotu as my sister was in trouble,” she said.
She said she was very confused at the time as she did not know what trouble her sister might have been involved.
“It never came to my thought that my sister was dead. I left Banjul in a haste and rushed to Kotu where the incident occurred. Upon arriving at the scene, I was shocked and could not believe seeing my sister in that state in the taxi vehicle. From there I escorted the body to the main hospital in Banjul,” she explained.
Ya Awa said: We are asking for justice to be done on this untimely death of Ya Binta.”
Relatives, friends, co-workers and neighbours of the late Ya Binta have all described her as a friendly, hardworking and determined young lady whose death is a lost not only to her family but to many.
Pa Badjie, her cousin from Bakoteh, Jalika Jarju, her aunt, and Ismaila Jarju, her father’s elder brother, have also expressed their deep sense of lost and acknowledged that a big void has been created in the family.
Red Cross members were present in the funeral as she was said to have been a very active volunteer, serving as one of the school coordinators.
Many people also came to express condolence to the bereaved family at their residence at 14 Old Perseverance Street in Banjul.
Related Topic: IS THERE ANY ORDER IN PLACE TO SHOOT TO KILL? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2015 : 08:51:38
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Binta Jarju’s Shooter “Not Known” Driver Charged with 4 Counts
By Sailu Bah
Foroyaa: Published on March 19, 2015
Mustapha Njie, the driver involved in the incident leading to the shooting to death of Ya Binta Jarju by a member or members of a joint security patrol team, has finally been charged with four counts, according to a press release issued by the police force. In the release, it is indicated that Mustapha Njie has been charged with Unlicensed Driving, Failing to Stop when required, Disobedience to Lawful Orders and Rash and Negligent Act Causing Death.
Media reports have indicated that Mustapha Njie appeared before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 17 March and pleaded guilty to two counts and not guilty to the other two counts.
Meanwhile the police Public Relation Officer (PRO) Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) David Kujabi was asked about the issue of the shooter who pulled the trigger leading to the death of Ya Binta. He said this cannot be determined since there were many shooters. He added that the shooters followed the protocol by first firing warning shots before aiming at the vehicle to disable it to stop.
ASP Kujabi said it was unfortunate that one of the bullets hit and killed Ya Binta.
Visiting the family home of the late Ya Binta Jarju at 14 Old Perseverance Street in Banjul on Wednesday, 18 March 2015, this reporter was told by family members that they have not yet seen any delegation from the security forces concerning the incident.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2015 : 13:08:06
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Manjai shooting incident: Driver convicted on two counts
By Dawda Faye
The Point: Published on Friday, March 20, 2015
 Mustapha Njie, a driver who was charged with four counts of failure to stop when required to stop, disobedience to lawful orders, rash or negligent act causing death and unlicensed driving, was on 19 March 2015 convicted and sentenced by Magistrate Gomez of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Njie was fined D4,000 in default to serve three years in prison, on count one, and D1,000 in default to serve one year on count four, following his plea of guilt....
Read More |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2015 : 18:52:35
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Who shot Binta Jarju? Lance Corporal Abdoulie Badjie testifies
By Muhammad Bah
Foroyaa: Published on March 29, 2015
In the trial of Mustapha Njie, the taxi driver that was driving theBinta Jarju vehicle the late Binta Jarju and her friend Mr. Sulayman Bah, boarded on Thursday 26th March 2015 at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, the question who specifically shot Binta Jarju was asked. There was no specific answer but the third prosecution witness, Lance Corporal Abdoulie Badjie of the State Guard told the court: “We fired.”
Mr. Njie the driver is standing trial on two counts, “Disobedience to Lawful Orders” and “Rash and Negligent Act Causing Death”, to which he pleaded not guilty. He had earlier pleaded guilty to two minor offences – “Unlicensed Driving” and “Failing to Stop when required”.
In this criminal trial Mustapha is represented by Lawyer Edward Gomez while the Inspector General of Police is represented by Assistant Superintendent Police Mballow. Corporal Badjie appeared before the Magistrate Court presided by Magistrate Patrick Gomez.
Lance Corporal Abdoulie Badjie told the court that he is a native of Madiana Village, Kombo South and a military officer at the State Guard. He told the court that he remembered all that happened on the 7th March at 11pm at night.
He said they were on a joint patrol on that night mounting a check point at Manjai Kunda. He told the court that a taxi driver came and passed the check point they mounted and they shouted at him to stop but he continued. He told the court they were three security officers, one Babali a Police Intervention Unit officer, Landing Jarju a military officer and he himself who followed the taxi.
He said they first fired warning shots but the driver failed to stop and continued speeding. He said he and his colleagues followed the taxi with a pick up because they became suspicious as the driver failed to stop. “We overtook him on the left and stopped in front of the taxi but he (the driver) drove to a side road on the right. We followed him again and this time we shot the taxi,” Corporal Jarju explained to the court.
During cross-examination, the defence counsel Mr Gomez asked the prosecution witness who among the officers who chased the taxi made
the shots that allegedly killed Binta Jarju. The witness replied: “We fired”. The defence counsel asked again: “I said who made the shots,
specifically?” Corporal Badjie repeatedly insisted “We fired” the gun shots to demobilize the car aiming at the tyres.
Defence Counsel E. Gomez put it to him that none of the tyres were found been shot after the incident. He further asked him whether they have made any effort to inspect the taxi after the shooting. He told the court that they looked into the taxi and saw a lady and two men and the lady was bleeding.
He then asked the witness whether after they made the shootings they inspected the car or opened the boot to see whether these people possessed weapons or illegal items. He told the court they did not open the boot to inspect it after the incident.
Lawyer Gomez also asked the witness whether they made any attempt to help the lady after they realised what had happened. The witness said they waited for the police and later went to the Kairaba police station and gave a statement before continuing with their patrol. The lawyer told the court that this contradicts the testimony of the first prosecution witness who told the court that the security officers ignored his plea to assist and left.
At this juncture the case was adjourned till 31 March 2015 at 2:30 pm. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2015 : 22:01:50
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Ya Binta Jarju was shot in the forehead, accused tells court
By: Dawda Faye
The Point: Published on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Mustapha Njie, who was charged with causing the death of Ya Binta Jarju, on 11 May 2015 told the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court that Ya Binta Jarju was shot in the forehead, when she turned to look back while she was in his car.
Njie testified before Magistrate Gomez.
When the case was called, Sergeant 3560 Colley told the court he, along with Chief Inspector Fadera, was representing the IGP.
Lawyer Edu Gomez announced his representation for the accused.
The accused, Mustapha Njie, told the court that he is a driver and lives at Kanifing South, and that he is being remanded at Mile 2 prisons.
He testified that on 7 March 2015, he did not stop at a checkpoint when he was asked to do so because he did not have a driving licence, hence military officers pursued him and fired a warning shot.
Mr Njie said he diverted to another street and parked his car near some flower trees, adding that there were some shots before he parked the car.
He adduced that when he parked the car, he alighted with Sulayman Bah, who asked the military officers to help him take Ya Binta Jarju out of the car, as she had already died.
Mr Njie stated that the military officers did not help Sulayman Bah, but abandoned them at the scene, and he and Sulayman Bah took Ya Binta Jarju out of the car.
He said he was arrested by someone who was not wearing a uniform, after the military officers had left.
Mr Njie said that prior to the shooting, Ya Binta did not complain about any illness, adding that parking his car did not cause any injuries to Ya Binta Jarju or Sulayman Bah.
Under cross-examination by Sergeant 3560 Colley, Mr Njie told the court that he was hired by Ya Binta Jarju and Sulayman Bah to take them from Palma Rima to Latrikunda.
He said he did not ask Ya Binta and Sulayman for a price for hiring him, because of their relationship.
He admitted that it was his duty to drive carefully, and that there was a security checkpoint mounted at Manjai near the petrol station, but he failed to stop.
At this juncture, Chief Inspector Fadera asked the accused whether he knew the punishment for unlicenced driving, and Mr Njie answered in the negative.
Still under cross-examination, Mr Njie further told the court he did not know the punishment for failure to stop.
He said he did not hear any gunshots, when it was put to him that because of his failure to stop the military officers fired.
Mr Njie said he was not aware that he was being chased by the military officers, adding that he did not know the number of gunshots fired.
It was put it to him that three gunshots were fired when the military officers stood in front of his car, but he said he did not know.
When asked whether he was not stopped and challenged previously by the security officers and he failed to stop, Lawyer Edu Gomez objected, saying the accused was being impeached.
Magistrate Gomez upheld the objection.
The accused, Mustapha Njie, said he had been driving for 15 years.
It was put to him that his failure to stop at the checkpoint led to the death of Ya Binta Jarju, but he denied this.
It was also put to him that the aim of the shooting at the car was to disable it.
Lawyer Edu Gomez objected, saying the accused would not know.
Magistrate Gomez upheld the objection.
The accused said he did not check the speedometer to know at what speed he was driving, adding that he was not driving fast.
He was asked about the speed limit for built-up areas, and he said it is 60 km and below.
Chief Inspector Fadera told him that it is 25 miles per hour and that is less than 60 km, adding that the accused was driving at more than 60 km, but Mr Njie denied this.
When it was finally put to him that it was his action that caused the death of Ya Binta Jarju, Njie again denied this.
At this juncture, Lawyer Gomez announced that it was the closure of the defence case, adding that he would file a written brief.
The case was adjourned to 21 May 2015, for adoption of briefs by the defence and the prosecution.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2015 : 14:18:05
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Manjai shooting incident: ‘security officers murdered the poor victim’
BY Dawda Faye
The Point: Published on Friday, May 22, 2015
Lawyer Edu Gomez, the defence counsel of Mustapha Njie, who was charged with causing the death of Ya Binta Jarju, on 21 May 2015 told the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court that the security officers, who shot the car Ya Binta Jarju boarded with her boyfriend, murdered her.
He made this pronouncement when he adopted his brief before Magistrate Gomez.
He started by reading his brief to the court, summarizing the testimonies of all the prosecution witnesses.
Lawyer Gomez argued that if the security officers had not shot the car, Ya Binta Jarju would not have been killed.
He said the autopsy report indicated that the cause of death of Ya Binta Jarju was head injury due to gunshots.
“Who fired the shots?” he asked.
He submitted that the shots were fired by the security officers, adding that they should have been charged with murder.
He urged the court to discharge and acquit the accused.
ASP Mballow also adopted his brief.
He said they disagreed with the submission made by the defence counsel.
He started by summarizing the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, referring to some authorities to support his argument.
He submitted that the security officers shot the car to disable it, adding that “the medical doctor is not the law” and that it is the court that could determine the cause of death.
He argued further that if it were not the accused’s failure to stop, Ya Binta Jarju would not have been killed, adding that the accused had the intention to cause the death of Ya Binta Jarju.
He submitted that the accused caused the death of Ya Binta Jarju.
He also urged the court to convict the accused and sentence him accordingly.
Magistrate Gomez then announced that both briefs filed by the defence and the prosecution had been deemed properly filed.
The case was adjourned to 16 June 2015, for judgment. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2015 : 11:27:29
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"Magistrate Gomez then announced that both briefs filed by the defence and the prosecution had been deemed properly filed.
The case was adjourned to 16 June 2015, for judgment."
It would be a pity if the judgement was held up by more legal delay,it is important that the Gambian justice system is seen to be working correctly and that times have changed for the better.
[quote]Originally posted by Momodou
[b]Manjai shooting incident: ‘security officers murdered the poor victim’
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11794 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2015 : 21:04:14
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Late Yabinta’s Jarju Taxi Driver Freed Prosecution intends to appeal
By Rohey Jadama
Foroyaa: Published on June 17, 2015
Magistrate Patrick Gomez of Kanifing Magistrates Court yesterday, 16thBinta Jarju June 2015, acquitted and discharged Mustapha Njie, the driver of the taxi vehicle in which Binta Jarju was shot and killed.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) was represented by ASP Mballowwhile Lawyer Edward Gomez announced his appearance for the accused person.
Mr. Njie was charged with four counts of failure to stop when required to stop, disobedience to lawful orders, rash or negligent act causing death, and unlicensed driving.
He pleaded guilty to counts one and four and denied counts two and three. Delivering the judgement in a crowded court room, the trial magistrate said the prosecution must prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove its case.
Magistrate Gomez said both the defence and the prosecution addressed the court and that the former relied heavily on the authopsy report, whilst the latter relied on 7 authorities. He said the accused in his testimony mentioned that he failed to stop at the check point.
He said the ingredients to look for in convicting the accused are whether death occured ? Did the accused cause the death ? and did his negligence and action cause the death ? He added that the prosecution bears a heavy burden to convince the court that the accused caused the death.
Magistrate Gomez further said that the prosecution did not state that the driver was posing a danger or threat to them or the community. He said the officers made a voluntary shot and that there was no threat to them nor the community and that the autopsy report states that the cause of death is head injury due to gunshot.
The trial magistrate said the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused caused the death of late Yabinta Jarju.
He therefore ruled that the accused is acquitted and discharged on count 3 and found guilty on count 2.
However, before the plea of mitigation of the lawyer for the accused, ASP Mballow informed the court of their intention to appeal against the acquital and discharge of the accused on count 3.
Prosecutor Mballow said section 285 (E) of the Criminal Procedure Code(CPC) gives them the right to appeal. He asked the court to grant bail to the accused pending their appeal.
In his plea of mitigation, Lawyer Gomez, counsel for the accused, urged the court to take into account the following : that the accused was driving a vehicle at a time he was not in possession of a driving License nor wearing a seat belt; that he was confronted by security officers with weapons which frigthened his mind as it happened after the abortive coup ; that there was fear in the minds of the people and that there were numerous check points in the Greater Banjul Area.
Barrister Gomez added that the fleeing of the accused from the officers was not to disregard what those officers were set to do. He said the accused was remanded throughout the trial in Mile Two and that during his remand period he has known the gravity of his offence and he will make sure there is no repetition of it again.
He said the accused is a first time offender and that premised on the above, he is humbly and sincerely urging the court to temper justice with mercy and that when the court considers any form of punishment let it not impose a custodial sentence on him but a fine that is not excessive and punitive.
The trial magistrate in his judgment said in line with the application of the prosecution, bail is granted to the accused in the sum of D50.000 and the convict is ordered to produce two Gambian sureties.
In sentencing the accused on count 2 and after having considered the mitigation plea of the defence counsel, the trial magistrate said the 6 months imprisonment of the accused is suspended but that when he commits an offence within these six months he will be called upon to serve the term. He ordered that the accused is to maintain the peace during the six months.
Count one states that the accused, Mustapha Njie, on March 2015 at Manjai in the Kanifing Municipality and diverse places in The Gambia, was stopped at a security vehicle checkpoint by police officers in uniform, but he refused to stop and drove away.
Count two stated that the accused on the same date and place was ordered to stop at a security vehicle checkpoint by police officers in uniform, which order he disobeyed.
Count three added that the accused on the same date and place drove his motor vehicle, registration number BJL 7039G, in a rash or negligent manner, causing the death of one Binta Jarju.
Count four stated that the accused on the same date and place drove a motor vehicle, registration number BJL 7039G, without a valid license. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2015 : 15:36:02
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....."bail is granted to the accused in the sum of D50.000 and the convict is ordered to produce two Gambian sureties"
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Just one question,the report from Foroyaa fails to mention if the bail conditions could be met by the defendant,if not he will remain in custody,I do not know if CASH has to be deposited to a Gambian court or is granted on the promise of the surety with the option for the court to get money from the sureties' at a later date if the Defendant is found to be in breach of his bail conditions
Where is the Bantaba in Cyberspace legal eagle,still not about? Maybe Forayaa can ascertain if the Defendant is now a FREE man. ? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
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| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
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Lady killed in Taxi By Security
very coincidental the very day after I wrote the posting above clarification of "Bail" in Gambia is published by THE POINT,Great now everone is aware there is no confusion anymore.