By: Isatou Sarr
The five million dalasis lawsuit filed against two senior government authorities recently resumed before Justice Sarah Ayee of Banjul High Court with a rigorous cross-examination of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of police Ebrima Bah.
The former deputy police commissioner Sambujang Fatty filed the case against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General which came up on Thursday 7th May 2026 with cross-examination led by Counsel K. Jallow.
The case which raises questions of alleged unlawful termination versus breaches of regimental discipline, continued with detailed questioning on promotions, disciplinary procedures, and internal police administrative decisions.
During proceedings, Counsel K. Jallow, questioned AIG Bah, on the plaintiff’s previous deployment with United Nations missions, to which the witness confirmed that Mr Fatty had served in South Sudan under a UN assignment. The court was also told that Mr Fatty later resigned from his UN position, a fact AIG Bah said he was unaware of until the resignation letter was presented in evidence.
A key point of contention arose around promotion procedures within the Gambia Police Force. AIG Bah, confirmed that Mr Fatty, was promoted to Assistant Commissioner but could not recall the exact timing. He also acknowledged that a promotional board system was later introduced under the current IGP.
The court further examined an investigation committee report, where AIG Bah’s earlier testimony indicated that Mr Fatty was promoted from Superintendent to Assistant Commissioner while on secondment, a claim the defence continues to scrutinise.
Counsel K. Jallow, asked the witness if it was correct that Sidi Mutarr Touray, the current IGP of The Gambia, was at one time working for the Gambia Immigration Department? To that question, AIG Bah, confirmed and said yes. Further asked if it was correct that Sidi Mutarr Touray served at the Gambia Immigration Department for over three decades? AIG Bah, responded, “I should think so. I’m not so certain, but I should think so.”
AIG Bah, said, he was the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Operations at the time Sidi Mutarr Touray, was appointed as IGP. The witness added that, he was promoted seven years earlier, before IGP Touray assumed the position of IGP and never promote again.
AIG Bah went on to tell the court that Mr Fatty, had been summoned to Police Headquarters where he was later asked to leave a meeting due to alleged refusal to comply with instructions regarding his mobile phone. The witness said officers suspected the plaintiff was recording proceedings, although no phone was seized to confirm the allegation.
Counsel K. Jallow pressed further on whether any formal investigation had been conducted before recommendations were made. AIG Bah stated that no separate police investigation was carried out, noting that the matter was handled through internal procedures and committee deliberations.
The witness informed the court that the time the plaintiff returned to The Gambia in 2023, Abdoulie Sanyang was then IGP.
Counsel K. Jallow further asked questions regarding promotion committee and when it was established and by whom. The witness replied that as of 2022 there was no promotional committee at the police. That it was the current IGP who established a promotional board.
Counsel Jallow further said, therefore, there was a query over the promotion of the plaintiff Sambujang Fatty. Bah then replied that it wasn’t proper as per the General Order (GO). “You cannot be promoted while you’re on secondment,” he added.
Counsel Jallow, went on to ask about the petition the plaintiff wrote against senior management and if Bah ever had any previous encounter with him? Bah answered “no.”
Further questions emerged when it was pointed out that Sambujang Fatty was part of the batch of officers promoted and decoration ceremony was scheduled, attended by the IGP and many dignitaries. Without explanation, without lawful excuse or permission, Fatty deliberately absented himself from the ceremony.
A few days later, he reportedly conducted his own separate decoration ceremony, presided over by Commissioner Samba Jawo and Commissioner L.K Bojang. This was said to be against the rules.
Bah went on to state that Fatty organised an unofficial ceremony, and hence he and those who presided over it committed an offence under the rules. “That is why the PMO recommended that Samba Jawo be given a warning letter as punishment,” he added.
The matter was adjourned at that stage and expected to continue with further cross-examination of witnesses.
