Omar Badjie Was Assaulted, Beaten During Arrest, Investigator Tells Court

By: Kemo Kanyi

Chief Suprintendent Lamin Cham, the lead investigator in the death of Omar Badjie Thursday told Brikama Magistrates’ Court that the deceased was assaulted and beaten by the police during his arrest.

Cham who led the coroner’s inquest into the death of Late Omar Badjie of Mandinary is posted at the Banjulinding Police Anti-Crime Unit and he appeared before the Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy to testify.

Continuing his testimony, Cham informed the court that he was instructed by his Commissioner Momodou Sowe of the Banjulinding anti-crime unit that the Crime Management Coodinator Boto Keita ordered for a formation of an investigation panel to investigate the cause of death of Omar Badjie.

Chief Superintendent Cham said that he instituted a four-man investigation panel, which he led. Other panellists include Deputy Superintendent Amadou Kujabi, Regional Crime Officer for West Coast, Chief Inspector Lamin Sowe of Old Yundum Police Station, and Sub-Inspector Bubacarr Touray posted at Old Yundum Police Station.

Cham then narrated how 1st class Sulayman Jarju, Police Constable Mamadi Jallow, Police Constable Ebrima Touray, and Police Constable Fa Sainey Cham, interacted with Omar Badjie and few others while they were smoking cannabis.

When asked by the Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy to tell the court the nature of interaction between the police officers and Omar Badjie, he narrated that investigators realised that police officers chased the late Omar Badjie for a distance of 300 metres when he collapsed. He added: “Omar was caught and forced to stand, but he replied to the officers that he was too weak and that he did not have the stamina. That was when he was assaulted by slapping on multiple occasions and beaten by 1st class Sulayman Jarju with a stick cut from a mango tree.”

He said, however, investigators were not able to trace the stick used against the deceased.

The police chief also stated that they had taken testimonies from five eyewitnesses. These are Majula Jammeh, Ousman Keita, Musa Kanyi, Malang Keita, and Tumani Badjie, all from Mandinary. He added that the police investigation team also took pictures of the scenes.

The witness tendered the cautionary statements obtained from the four police officers to the court. The court admitted the cautionary statements into evidence and marked as exhibits.

At that point, the matter was adjourned till Monday, 13th October 2025 for continuation.

The Inspector General of Police was represented by Chief Superintendent Lamin Cham and Sub Inspector Bubacarr Touray. The Attorney General failed to appear and didn’t send any representative to the court.

The family of the deceased was represented by counsel A.J. Njie, Tumani Badjie, stepfather to the deceased, Lamin Badjie, brother to the deceased, Sarjo Jarju, grandfather to the deceased, Modou Lamin Jarju, cousin to the deceased, Kebba Ansu Sawaneh, family neighbour, and Bakary Badjie, stepfather to the deceased.

The matter resumes on Monday, 13th October 2025.

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 By: Kemo Kanyi Chief Suprintendent Lamin Cham, the lead investigator in the death of Omar Badjie Thursday told Brikama Magistrates’…
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