Lawyer Supports Magistrate Mendy In Holding Coroner’s Inquest In Camera

By: Fatou Krubally

Melville Robertson Roberts, a prominent lawyer, has supported Magistrate Anna Mendy’s decision to hold parts of the ongoing Coroner’s Inquest behind closed doors, saying the move is neither unusual nor improper.

According to Mr. Roberts, who was a former Deputy Permanent Secretary, the magistrate’s move was “a measured exercise of judicial prudence aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the proceedings.”

It would be recalled that Magistrate Mendy has decided to hold parts of the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Omar Badjie in camera.

In a detailed legal commentary, Roberts explained that Gambian courts, like those in other common law jurisdictions, possess inherent powers to decide how proceedings are conducted, including whether certain sessions should be held in camera, meaning privately, away from the public and the press.

He emphasized that while transparency remains a cornerstone of justice, it is not an absolute rule, especially where openness might compromise fairness, expose witnesses, or risk the contamination of evidence. “Public curiosity cannot override the court’s duty to ensure an orderly, fair, and untainted inquest,” Roberts argued.

The Coroner’s Inquest, he notes, is a quasi-judicial process that seeks to determine the cause and circumstances of a person’s death, a matter that touches both public interest and the administration of justice. However, Roberts stressed that “public interest must be balanced against the sanctity of the judicial process.”

According to him, Magistrate Mendy’s move should be seen not as an attempt at secrecy but as “an act of responsibility,” particularly in an era where “speculative reporting and journalistic mischief” can easily distort ongoing proceedings.

“The court is not shutting out the public to conceal facts,” Roberts stated. “It is exercising lawful discretion to preserve the integrity of its proceedings.”

He further clarified that once the inquest concludes, its findings will be submitted to the Chief Justice for appropriate publication and ensuring transparency in the outcome, even if parts of the process are confidential.

In conclusion, Roberts described Magistrate Mendy’s decision as a reflection of judicial independence in the face of mounting public pressure. “The rule of law thrives not in noise but in order,” he said. “Justice, in its purest form, sometimes demands discretion over display.”

As debate continues, the case underscores a deeper question about public expectation, media responsibility, and the fine balance between openness and judicial integrity in The Gambia’s evolving democracy.

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 By: Fatou Krubally Melville Robertson Roberts, a prominent lawyer, has supported Magistrate Anna Mendy’s decision to hold parts of the…
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