The third prosecution witness in the murder trial of Mamadou Bah testified this week, detailing the moments after former UTG student leader Yunusa Mbaye was stabbed. Mamadou Bah stands accused of killing former UTG student leader Yunusa Mbaye. Witness Ablie Ceesay told the court he observed the accused, Mamadou Bah, flee the scene after Yunusa Mbaye collapsed to the ground, bleeding. Ceesay’s testimony is part of the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the alleged murder of the former UTG student leader. The trial continues as more evidence is presented before the court, aiming to establish the full sequence of events that led to the tragic death of Yunusa Mbaye.
Eyewitness Account of the Incident
Ablie Ceesay, the third prosecution witness, testified he left his garage to get breakfast around 1:00 PM. Ceesay, a mechanic and resident of Bundung Borehole, stated he observed Yunusa Mbaye walking ahead of Mamadou Bah before realizing the two individuals were involved in an altercation. Ceesay recounted the sequence of events as he approached the scene. "By the time I got closer, Yunusa was already stabbed and I realised that the two men were fighting,” Ceesay told the court. He described seeing Yunusa fall to the ground, bleeding profusely. Ceesay further testified that Bah ran away from the scene after noticing what had occurred, specifically after Yunusa fell to the ground, bleeding. His account detailed how he saw the accused, Mamadou Bah, make a swift departure from the immediate vicinity once the victim, Yunusa Mbaye, had collapsed.
During his testimony, Ceesay, who identified himself as a mechanic and a resident of Bundung Borehole, confirmed he did not personally witness the actual stabbing incident itself. He also admitted to the court that he did not know the object used in the attack that injured Yunusa Mbaye. Despite not witnessing the precise moment of the stabbing, the witness maintained his belief that Mamadou Bah was responsible for the injury. Ceesay’s conviction stemmed from his observation that only Bah and Yunusa were at the junction at the time of the incident, with Yunusa falling while Bah was behind him, an observation that suggested Bah's direct involvement. He explicitly stated to the court that he believed Bah was responsible because only Bah and Yunusa were present at the junction, and he observed Yunusa falling while Bah was behind him, an observation that led him to conclude Bah was directly involved in the incident. Ceesay confirmed under questioning that he is a mechanic and has never worked as a police officer or medical professional, clarifying his role as a civilian eyewitness.
During cross-examination by defence counsel C. Mendy, Ceesay admitted his participation in beating the accused, Mamadou Bah, in the immediate aftermath of the incident. This admission was made as part of the detailed testimony provided to the court, where he openly acknowledged his involvement in the physical altercation that ensued after Bah was apprehended.
Immediate Aftermath and Arrest
After Yunusa Mbaye collapsed to the ground, Ablie Ceesay observed approximately six to seven people attending to him, attempting to provide assistance. Meanwhile, Mamadou Bah, who Ceesay testified fled the scene shortly after the incident, was apprehended by individuals standing in the direction he ran. These individuals intervened, bringing Bah back to the immediate vicinity of the incident, effectively preventing him from leaving the area. At this point, some individuals reportedly assaulted Mamadou Bah, as he was brought back to the scene, noting the volatile nature of the situation following the stabbing. The crowd's reaction showed the immediate public response to the tragic event, with several individuals taking action to ensure Bah would not escape.
Yunusa Mbaye, severely injured and bleeding heavily, was initially placed into a taxi for transport to a hospital. However, he was subsequently removed from the vehicle because of the significant amount of blood, which made the taxi unsuitable for transport given the severity of the injury. The decision to remove him was made due to the overwhelming volume of blood, which rendered the taxi impractical and potentially unsanitary for such a critical medical transport. An Audi vehicle was then procured to transport Yunusa to the hospital, offering a more appropriate means of conveyance. Due to the heavy bleeding and the critical condition of Yunusa, Ablie Ceesay and the driver were the only two individuals allowed inside the Audi with Yunusa during the urgent journey to the medical facility. This measure was taken to manage the situation and ensure quick transport while minimizing further complications, focusing solely on getting the severely injured Yunusa Mbaye to medical attention as rapidly as possible.
Accused's Defense and Police Statement
Mamadou Bah was subsequently taken to the police station following the incident, where he was questioned by authorities. There, Bah claimed that Yunusa Mbaye had initiated the attack, presenting his version of the events to the police. During questioning at the police station, Bah denied intentionally causing Mbaye’s death, asserting that he did not intend for the fatal outcome. He further accused Mbaye of having taken D500 from his pocket, adding another layer to his defense and narrative of the altercation, suggesting a possible motive for the confrontation that led to the stabbing. These statements were recorded as part of the official police investigation into the death of Yunusa Mbaye, forming a key part of the defendant's initial account of the incident.
