By: Dawda Baldeh
The family of Omar Badjie, who was allegedly beaten to death by police officers on a routine patrol in Mandinary, is now waiting for the official postmortem results from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital as calls for justice continue to grow. On Wednesday, September 1st, Omar’s casket was returned home for burial, an emotional ceremony attended by hundreds of mourners whose grief was echoed in powerful testimonies.
“We don’t want anything other than justice,” said Toumani Badjie, the deceased’s stepfather. “This can happen to anyone and we don’t want that. Nothing can return or replace Omar but we want justice.” With a broken heart, Toumani was among the relatives who witnessed the postmortem examination. He explained that the family has completed the necessary formalities and are now awaiting the report, with both their doctor and lawyer following up on the process.
When the casket arrived in Mandinary, it was taken to the mosque for the Janaza prayer before being escorted by a large crowd to the cemetery. “Such a young person has gone like this. It’s terrifying,” lamented community member Binta Bojang, reflecting the shock felt throughout the village. The streets overflowed with mourners, who followed the procession to the graveside, offering condolences and prayers as the casket was lowered into the ground. Many reiterated their determination to see justice served, vowing to support the family’s pursuit of accountability.
Family members revealed that before his death, Omar had been working on constructing a mortuary at the Mandinary health centre, a project now left unfinished. Eyewitnesses insist he was severely beaten by officers, which caused his death, while the police maintain that he died after falling during what they described as a “hot pursuit.” The conflicting accounts have heightened public anger, with the government announcing that a coroner’s inquest will be conducted alongside an ongoing police investigation.
By: Dawda Baldeh The family of Omar Badjie, who was allegedly beaten to death by police officers on a routine patrol in Mandinary, is now waiting for the official postmortem results from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital as calls for justice continue to grow. On Wednesday, September 1st, Omar’s casket was returned home for The Fatu Network
