By: Fatou Krubally
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has slammed the Barrow administration for what it calls a “glaring lack of political will” to combat drug trafficking and hold offenders accountable.
In a statement released by its media team, the UDP cited the recent collapse of the drug-related case against former Chief Magistrate Pa Modou Njie as proof of the government’s failure to tackle high-profile offenders. The Bundung Magistrate Court recently struck out charges against Njie including drug dealing, abuse of office, and theft after the prosecution failed to proceed, highlighting what the UDP described as “incompetence” within the Ministry of Justice and the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG).
According to the UDP, the court adjourned the case five times because the Inspector General of Police’s office and the Ministry of Justice did not act, violating Njie’s right to a speedy trial. “This is a national embarrassment,” the party stated, adding that the situation calls into question the fate of other drug cases languishing in the system.
The UDP accused the government of prioritising rhetoric over action, pointing to President Barrow’s “Zero Tolerance” promise, which they say rings hollow amid low conviction rates. While DLEAG reported arresting 633 suspects in 2023, the party argued that convictions remain “pitifully low,” with high-profile cases collapsing due to state negligence.
The statement further alleged that despite nearly two tons of drugs seized in 2023, traffickers continued to operate with impunity. The UDP demanded an independent audit of all stalled or dismissed drug cases and accountability for the Attorney General and Inspector General.
“This government’s inaction is a betrayal of our youth and national security,” the UDP warned, calling for urgent reforms at the Ministry of Justice and the resignation of officials responsible for the Njie case collapse.