Deen told the court that in a private conversation with the victim and her grandparents, the victim allegedly confessed that the accusations were “masterminded” by his ex-wife.’
In his testimony yesterday before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of High Court in Banjul, Deen broke down in tears as he recounted a private meeting held with the victim and her grandparents, saying: “I asked them what did I do so wrong to my ex-wife that she would accuse me of rape, fully knowing the charge could mean a 20 years prison sentence or more?” he said as he shed tears in the courtroom.
“However, the victim’s grandparents responded with a resolute show of support. They told me they were prepared to defend me wherever necessary,” he stated during his testimony led by defence counsel M. Sanyang.
Deen paused for a few seconds and bent down in the witness box, tears beginning to roll down his face again.
When asked by the defence counsel whether anything had transpired between him and the victim, the accused responded: “Nothing happened between me and the victim. She was my favourite daughter among them all. She was smart and intelligent,” he told the court.
“So, are you denying the allegation before this honourable court?” the defence counsel asked. “Yes, my lord,” the witness replied.
Further questioned about the whereabouts of the victim, the witness began: “The victim passed away in January this year at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH).”
Narrating his interaction with the victim’s grandmother, the witness said: “She called me and said she wanted to see me. However, I was hesitant because I feared they might do something to me. Despite her attempts to convince me, I declined to meet her.”
He added: “Later on, her daughter Fatou managed to convince me. But I made it clear I would only meet them at Fatou’s house. So, I agreed to meet them there on Sunday.”
According to him, the meeting was attended by the victim’s grandmother, grandfather, and other individuals. “They told me the grandmother had something to share. I asked what it was, and to my surprise, the victim said in front of her grandparents that what her mother had told her was not true,” he recounted.
“She said her mother had pressured her to accuse me of rape, threatening to kill her if she refused. I broke down and cried for two to three minutes. I told the victim I had no problem with her,” he said tearfully.
He continued: “I asked them to document what the victim had told me so I could use it as evidence in court to prove my innocence. The following day, Monday, we went to the Social Welfare Department, where the victim recounted everything again.”
Concluding, he said: “The department prepared a document, which I signed along with her grandparents and Social Welfare officials. I was given a copy, and they also kept one,” he postulated.
