By Isatou Sarr
A witness has told Brikama Magistrates’ Court that the death of Omar Badjie on 26 September 2025 followed a beating by police officers.
The testimony was given during the continuation of the inquest into Badjie’s death before Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy.
Eighth witness Malang Keita was discharged after confirming he had previously made a statement to police at Banjulinding Police Station on 28 September 2025. His statement was formally entered into evidence as MK1.
The court then heard from the ninth witness, Ousainou Keita, a teacher from Mandinary who knew the late Badjie personally. He said that on the day of the incident, he was at a nearby compound when he heard people shouting, “Catch him! Catch him!”
Stepping outside, Keita said he saw a police officer in uniform and another man not in uniform chasing someone. He said he saw Badjie lying on the ground near a fenced compound. The man not in uniform struck Badjie after he said he could not get up, Keita told the court.
Keita added that one of the men beat Badjie with a branch near a mango tree while instructing others to carry him away. He said four police officers were involved, but did not know their names. He described Badjie as healthy before the incident and said he later learned that Badjie had died.
Keita confirmed he believed the beating caused Badjie’s death. He also said he had submitted a statement to police at Banjulinding Station, entered into evidence as OK1.
Principal Magistrate Mendy adjourned the inquest to Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at 2 p.m. for continuation.
The inquest is part of ongoing judicial proceedings examining the circumstances surrounding Badjie’s death and the role of police actions on that day.