Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe, leader and secretary general of the National Unity Party and lead counsel in the high-profile Ousainou Bojang trial, has declared that he will not voluntarily respond to any police invitation amid speculation that authorities may seek to question him over his public comments following the acquittal of Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang.
Speaking in an interview with Kerr Fatou, Darboe made it clear that he is prepared to face arrest if the police wish to engage him, but firmly rejected the idea of honoring an invitation.
“They will have to come and arrest me. I am not going to the police on invitation. When they arrest me, that is when I will go. It is not a big deal; I am ready for that,” he said.
His remarks come at a time of heightened public debate surrounding the controversial rearrest of the Bojang siblings shortly after their acquittal, a move that has drawn criticism from legal experts, civil society groups, and sections of the public.
Darboe strongly condemned the government’s handling of the situation, accusing authorities of disregarding court orders and undermining the rule of law. He argued that the actions taken by law enforcement officials in rearresting the accused raised serious questions about accountability and respect for judicial decisions.
“If this were a different country, the Inspector General of Police would have spent the night in a police cell for allowing officers to rearrest the accused and take them to police headquarters,” Darboe said. He added that responsibility for the incident should not be limited to junior officers but must extend to senior government figures, including the Minister of Interior and the Attorney General.
According to Darboe, the conduct of officials suggests a troubling pattern in which decisions are influenced by political considerations rather than adherence to legal principles. He alleged that some officials acted in a bid to satisfy higher authorities, rather than uphold the integrity of the justice system.
“They violated a court order, which amounts to contempt. There should be proceedings against them, and they should be punished. But they act based on their positions—whether or not they are instructed, they do it to please someone,” he stated.
Beyond his criticism, Darboe emphasized the importance of safeguarding the independence of state institutions, particularly the judiciary. He warned against executive interference in cases that are already before the courts, noting that such actions could erode public confidence in the legal system.
“We should strengthen independent systems in this country. They should not have been involved in a case that is already before the courts,” he said.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise as Gambians Against Looted Assets, the group that organized recent street protests following the rearrest of the Bojang siblings, issued a warning over Darboe’s situation. The group cautioned that any attempt by authorities to arrest the lawyer could spark widespread demonstrations across the country.
The unfolding developments have further intensified scrutiny on the government’s response to the case, with observers closely watching how authorities will proceed in the coming days.
