Coroner’s Inquest confirms Omar Badjie beaten to death by police officers
Initially, the Gambia Police Force stated that Badjie collapsed while being pursued and later died at Kanifing General Hospital. However, witnesses alleged that officers apprehended Badjie and subjected him to physical abuse, including beating him with a tree branch while he was cuffed and unresponsive. The death sparked significant protests in Mandinary, leading to the vandalisation of a police post and multiple injuries to both civilians and officers. The Chief Justice then ordered a coroner’s inquest into the matter to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. The Coroner examined twelve witnesses, reviewed the post-mortem report on the deceased person and visited the scene of the incident. “The Coroner's verdict is that Omar Badjie died due to acute brain injury resulting from physical exertion, stress and assault occasioned by the Police officers in the course of their pursuit of the deceased,” Chief Justice informed the public in a statement. The Coroner has recommended that the matter be referred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal proceedings against the police officers involved. The Hon. Chief Justice having examined the record of proceedings of the inquest pursuant to Section 10 of the Coroners Act said he was satisfied as to the correctness, legality, and propriety of the findings and verdict and as to the regularity of the proceedings. The Hon. Chief Justice further revealed that he has accordingly forwarded the record of proceedings of the inquest to the Hon. Attorney General and to the Director of Public Prosecutions for necessary action. The Hon. Chief Justice extended his profound appreciation to the Hon. Anna O. Mendy, the Coroner and to all the witnesses and all others who assisted in the inquiry. “The Office of the Hon. The Chief Justice looks forward to the continued cooperation of all concerned to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Coroner,” he said. Four police officers directly involved were identified as Constables Sulayman Jarju, Mamadi Jallow, Ebrima Touray, and Fa Sainey Cham, and were suspended and detained shortly after the incident.
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Initially, the Gambia Police Force stated that Badjie collapsed while being pursued and later died at Kanifing General Hospital.
However, witnesses alleged that officers apprehended Badjie and subjected him to physical abuse, including beating him with a tree branch while he was cuffed and unresponsive.
The death sparked significant protests in Mandinary, leading to the vandalisation of a police post and multiple injuries to both civilians and officers.
The Chief Justice then ordered a coroner’s inquest into the matter to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Coroner examined twelve witnesses, reviewed the post-mortem report on the deceased person and visited the scene of the incident.
“The Coroner's verdict is that Omar Badjie died due to acute brain injury resulting from physical exertion, stress and assault occasioned by the Police officers in the course of their pursuit of the deceased,” Chief Justice informed the public in a statement.
The Coroner has recommended that the matter be referred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal proceedings against the police officers involved.
The Hon. Chief Justice having examined the record of proceedings of the inquest pursuant to Section 10 of the Coroners Act said he was satisfied as to the correctness, legality, and propriety of the findings and verdict and as to the regularity of the proceedings.
The Hon. Chief Justice further revealed that he has accordingly forwarded the record of proceedings of the inquest to the Hon. Attorney General and to the Director of Public Prosecutions for necessary action.
The Hon. Chief Justice extended his profound appreciation to the Hon. Anna O. Mendy, the Coroner and to all the witnesses and all others who assisted in the inquiry.
“The Office of the Hon. The Chief Justice looks forward to the continued cooperation of all concerned to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Coroner,” he said.
Four police officers directly involved were identified as Constables Sulayman Jarju, Mamadi Jallow, Ebrima Touray, and Fa Sainey Cham, and were suspended and detained shortly after the incident.
