Woman sent to prison for aborting pregnancy

But Fatoumata Jallow was not alone in the commissioning of the offence.

One Sankary Drammeh was alleged to have been an accomplice, but he denied any wrongdoing.

The duo were charged on three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, attempt to procure abortion and supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion.

According to the bill of indictment, Fatoumata Jallow and Sankary Drammeh, between 4 and 5 December 2014 at Kotu Quarry in the Kanifing Municipality, conspired to abort a pregnancy.

Prosecutors further alleged that Fatoumata Jallow, on the same date and place with intent to abort her pregnancy, unlawfully administered herself with tablets, knowing full well that it can cause a miscarriage.

It was also alleged by prosecutors that Sankary Drammeh, on the same date and place, unlawfully supplied CYTOTEC tablets to Fatoumata Jallow, which enabled her to abort her pregnancy.

To prove her case beyond reasonable doubt, W/PC 5426 Badjie asked her witness to get into the witness box and tell the court what he knew about the case.

The witness, CPL Mbye, briefly told the court that it was Sankary Drammeh who gave Fatoumata Jallow some tablets to abort her pregnancy.

He further stated that after Fatoumata Jallow drank the tablets, she dumped the premature baby into a pit latrine, adding that the matter was reported at the Kotu Police Station.

CPL Mbye adduced that the fire and rescue service retrieved the premature baby from the pit latrine, adding that the premature baby was taken to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital for examination.

He further told the court that he made a report, and also received a medical report from EFSTH.

The prosecuting officer, W/PC 5426 Badjie, applied to tender the said reports, but Sankary Drammeh objected, stating that he knew nothing about the reports.

Magistrate Gomez, however, admitted the reports and they were marked as exhibits.

The case continues.