Family Palaver lands in court

One Gunjur Jarjue, along with his wife, daughter and son, appeared on 16th June, 2010, before Magistrate Drammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court for allegedly assaulting his sister-in-law, a charge they all denied.

Gunjur Jarju testifying while he was being led by his counsel, lawyer Riley, told the court that he lives in Old Jeshwang, and his is a driver. He revealed that his family and his sister-in-law and his brother live in the same compound at Old Jeshwang. He narrated that Sally Senghore, the complainant, is his sister-in-law.

He went on to tell the court that his younger brother, Kebba Drammeh, had lied to the court when he said he owns the compound in which they all live.

He further testified that his other younger brother (Sunkaru Camara), who is currently in Spain, owns the compound. He informed the court that he shares the same mother with Kebba Drammeh, his younger brother, who denied this.

He adduced that before the incident, his family and the families of his younger brother, Kebba Drammeh, were not in good terms. He stated that on 9th September, 2008, he was at work at Fajara when his daughter telephoned him to inform him that his wife was fighting with his sister-in-law. He stated further that when he arrived home, he followed his wife into their room and asked her why they were fighting.

Further testifying, Gunjur Jarju told the court that his wife told him that a boy, one Lamin Jarju rode his bicycle on Sally Senghore and was further told by his wife that it was Sally Senghore, who complained about this but it was not true. The witness further added that his younger brother, Kebba Drammeh came out and confirmed that the boy rode his bicycle on Sally Senghore.

Still testifying, Gunjur Jarju told the court that his daughter advised his wife not to quarrel with his sister-in-law over the incident. He adduced that his wife told him that Sally Senghore insulted his daughter, and then rushed and attacked his wife.

Gunjur Jarju further indicated that while he was talking to his wife, his younger brother who came back from the mosque and his sister-in-law confronted them. He adduced that it was his sister-in-law who told his younger brother not to talk to them, because they were filthy.

It was then, he added, he advised his younger brother to broker peace, but his sister-in-law asked him not to do so. He told the court that it was the hypocrisy of his sister-in-law that her first husband divorced her.

It was at this juncture, he stated when his younger brother held him and his sister-in-law attacked his wife and they started fighting.