Tumane Badjie, the stepfather of the late Omar Badjie, continued his emotional testimony at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court in the ongoing coroner’s inquest into Badjie’s controversial death following an alleged encounter with police.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy, the witness detailed his conversation with police officers at the Mandinaring Health Centre shortly after his nephew was brought in.
Tumane Badjie recounted asking a senior police officer about the incident.
“The senior officer said they were on patrol and saw Omar with a joint of Cannabis and wanted to take it from him, but Omar resisted, so they had a push and pull,” the witness stated.
Tumane Badjie further stated that the officer told him that during the struggle, his mobile phone fell, and when he bent to retrieve it, Omar ran away.
“The senior officer said that when Omar started running, he asked the junior officers to run after him. They ran after him, scaled fences and entered some grass. After a while, they met Omar sitting in the grass, and they caught him there,” Tumane Badjie told the court.
Tumane Badjie continued stating that the officer told him when the junior officers attempted to bring him out of the grass, Omar allegedly stated he could not walk and was thirsty. A lady named Jula reportedly gave Omar water before he was transported to the health centre.
Tumane Badjie said he questioned the senior officer upon noticing the state of his nephew’s body.
“I asked the senior officer, ‘Why was Omar’s body dirty with sand? ” He added, another police officer responded that Omar had fallen down. However, he (Tumane Badjie) pressed the issue.
“I told them that even if he felt down, his body should not be dirty the way it is. The officer I left inside the health centre, standing beside Omar, came out and said they pushed him to the ground,” Tumane Badjie revealed.
Tumane Badjie testified that he maintained to the officers that the extensive dirt on the body was inconsistent with a simple fall or push.
Tumane Badjie revealed that during his engagement with the officer, he saw youths coming towards the health centre, Tumane Badjie stated he ‘deceived’ the officers into moving aside, fearing a potential attack by arriving youths. He then called Omar’s father, who was in Cassamance for treatment.
He stated that when the nurse noticed that Omar was unresponsive, weak, and breathing abnormally, the nurse on duty arranged for a transfer. He and two others carried Omar into the ambulance and drove to Kanifing General Hospital, escorted by Saffie and the nurse.
“Whilst we were going, I put my hand on Omar’s body to help him breathe, but when we reached Tabakoto, white saliva started coming from his mouth,” Tumane Badjie tearfully recounted.
“When we crossed Tabokoto’s main junction, I realised that he was not breathing, so I bent down my head and started crying.” Tumane Badjie revealed.
Upon arrival at Kanifing General Hospital, a doctor confirmed that Omar was dead, noting the time was around “Juma” prayers (Friday afternoon). The body was evacuated to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul, where he (Tumane Badjie) met two senior police officers, Fadera and Badjie.
Tumane Badjie stated he asked Officer Fadera about the cause of death, who assured him “it will be done.” Tumane Badjie confirmed to Magistrate O. Mendy that Omar had no existing health conditions and that the cause of his death remains unknown to the family.
Tumane Badjie informed the court that he spoke to one Musa, who claimed to have witnessed and video recorded the incident, but his phone fell when police chased him. Tumane Badjie confirmed he had already taken Musa to the police station to give a statement.
Tumane Badjie also informed the court that Jula, the woman who gave Omar water, refused to give a statement to the police because her husband objected.
Magistrate O. Mendy asked Tumane Badjie if he could ensure Musa attends court, to which the witness responded affirmatively. Regarding Jula, Tumane Badjie noted her husband’s refusal might prevent her attendance. Tumane Badjie also confirmed visiting the scene and taking pictures.
The case adjourned to Monday, December 1, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.
By Kexx Sanneh
