During a recent condolence visit to the residence of the late Omar Badjie, the Honorable Minister of Interior reportedly informed mourners that the officers implicated in his death had been suspended. In a related development, the Gambia Police Command also announced at a press briefing that a panel has been constituted to investigate the matter.
While these actions may be viewed as initial steps toward accountability, legitimate concerns remain as to whether the police can conduct an impartial inquiry in this case. The institution had earlier concluded that the deceased collapsed after being pursued by a police patrol team, was subsequently rushed to the hospital, and later pronounced dead. This early conclusion, issued prior to the full inquiry, raises questions about the objectivity of the internal process.
Given that the incident directly involves police officers, an internal investigation alone may not satisfy public expectations of fairness and transparency. For the sake of justice and in order to restore and maintain public confidence in the security services, it is imperative that an independent investigation be instituted. Such an inquiry would not only ensure impartiality but also strengthen the credibility of the police by demonstrating their commitment to accountability.
The tragic death of Omar Badjie deserves nothing less than a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation. This is the only path to justice for the family and to safeguarding public trust in our law enforcement institutions.
