Ousaman Jatta alias Rambo, councillor for Bakau Old Town Ward, and one Basiru Bojang were on 27th October 2010 arraigned before Magistrate Lamin George of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court charged with affray.
However, the 1st accused, Ousman Jatta, pleaded not guilty and was granted court bail in the sum of D2,000 with a Gambian surety.
The 2nd accused, Basiru Bojang, a bar and restaurant proprietor, pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to a fine of D1,000 in default to serve two months in prison.
Meanwhile, Basiru Bojang, who was convicted, testified as the first prosecution witness, and told the court that he lives at Bakau and that he is a businessman.
According to Bojang, on the day of the incident, he was in his restaurant, when he was called by a KMC supervisor, one Baba Samateh, who told him that he came from collecting refuse from the 1st accused.
He said Samateh told him that he would like to collect all the dustbins around the craft market.
Bojang added that he then called the secretary of the craft market, Pa- Jallow, and told what Baba Samateh said, adding that Baba Samateh and his men then started to collect the refuse.
He further informed the court that he has twenty-five dustbins in the community, with his name written on them.
Testifying further, Bojang told the court that, while he was sitting at his restaurant, the accused, Ousman Jatta, came and asked the refuse collectors who instructed them to collect the refuse.
Baba Samateh, he said, then told the accused that he could not collect some dustbins, and had to leave others behind.
Bojang added that he then closed his restaurant, and left for the bank.
"On my way to the bank, Ousman Jatta provoked me; upon hearing those provocative words, I also responded in a similar manner," Bojang told the court.
According to him, the accused person, Ousman Jatta, then gave him a blow on his ear, after they exchanged words.
“In defending myself, I also stabbed him with my pen, which I was having,” Bojang revealed.
He further revealed that they were separated by people, and soldiers who were on guard in the Tourism Development Area arrested and took them to the military post at
Bojang narrated that they were later referred to the hospital for medical treatment, and later taken to the Bakau Police Station.
The case was adjourned till 2nd November 2010, for continuation.
