Police Trio Open Their Defence

The criminal trial involving three police officers, namely, Lamin Jammeh, Sissawo Badjie and Sheikh Sowe, who are charged with the offence of aiding eleven trial prisoners to escape from lawful custody at Bundung Police Station, have on the 3rd June 2009, opened their defence at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Kumba Sillah Camara.

In his testimony, the 1st accused Lamin Jammeh, a police officer attached to the Bundung Station told the court that on 11th September 2008, he was on duty at the Bundung Police Station from 8a.m. to 8p.m., with the co-accused persons when he heard a big noise in the station. He revealed that when he went to check in the station he found a large number of prisoners trying to effect their escape. He added that when he confronted them, the prisoners used stools, plates and shoes to attack them. He added that he was hit on his hand while trying to stop them from escaping, but they forced their way out and ran away. He adduced that he managed to get some prisoners in the cell. When asked if at any time he assisted any prisoner to escape, he replied in the negative. He said that he was trying to stop the prisoners from escaping.

Inspector Mballow represented the IGP.

The case was adjourned to the 10th June 2009.