Two Testify Against Alleged Homos

ASP Amadou Sowe, the station officer at Kotu Police Station, and sergeant 1841 Lamin Drammeh testified on the 14th June, 2012, before Magistrate Sheriff Tabbally of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court against 20 accused persons who were charged on 2 counts of conspiracy and an unnatural offence.

After the case file was returned from the state to the police on the last adjournment date, Chief Inspector Jammeh appeared for the IGP. Counsels Lamin S. Camara and Kombeh Gaye- Coker, Abdoulie Sissoho and Sumbo Akimbo announced their representation for some of the accused persons.

The prosecution’s second witness (PW2) introduced himself as ASP Amadou Sowe, Station Officer at the Kotu Police Station. He told the court that he knew all the accused persons, and said that on the 5th April, while at home , he received an information from their Officer Commanding, Superintendent Fulo Mbye, that there were group of boys suspected to be homosexuals ,organizing a party at Elite- Fitness Centre.

He continued that he together with Detective Abdoulie Sowe, PW1, and Detective Abdoulie Dibba went to the scene.

“On arrival, I parked my car outside the said centre which was around 22hrs to 23hrs , and we all entered inside and I stayed behind for some distance, which was 4 meters from where the stage was held. The other two officers went into the crowd and suddenly I saw Kebba Ceesay approaching (pw2) and started arguing,” he stated.

He posisted that later they went outside near his car, adding that he joined them and enquired what was happening , since they were arguing bitterly.

He said (pw1) refused to delete the pictures he took from the scene, since no photographer was invited, according to Kebba Ceesay. He said he was asked to delete the pictures he took. He further stated the he took two shots.

He told the court that Kebba Ceesay was eventually arrested together with his friend called Epson, who intervened by begging on behalf of Kebba that he just organized a party for his birthday.

He said that he then sent for reinforcement from the OC, and when after the reinforcement arrived, they surrounded the centre.

The witness testified that some of the accused persons tried to escape, and they arrested 17 boys and 13 girls, who had bags containing towels and ornaments.

He said they were taken to the Kotu Police Station and later transferred to the Kairaba Police Station where their statements were recorded and the investigation continued.

The third prosecution witness, Sergeant 1841 Drammeh, gave almost the same evidence as the first prosecution witness.

They were all cross-examined by the defense team. The case was adjourned to the 28th June for continuation.