By: Sering Mass Jallow& Dawda Jallow
A man facing murder charges before the Bundung High Court on Thursday alleged that officers of the Gambia Prison Service denied him access to medical treatment, legal representation and family visits while in custody.
Buba Jallow made the allegations during his appearance before Justice I. Janneh for plea proceedings.
Responding to the court’s inquiry on legal representation, Jallow said he did not have a lawyer and claimed he had been prevented from communicating with family members or legal counsel.
“I don’t have a lawyer because I am shielded. I don’t have the time to talk to anyone. Even the clothes I am wearing today were given to me by someone at the prison. I have also been denied the opportunity to see a medical doctor when I was sick, and I am never allowed outside for fresh air,” he told the court.
State Counsel W.K. Drammeh and A.A. Cham applied for an adjournment, informing the court that they required additional time to review the case file and prepare a bill of indictment before the commencement of the trial.
Justice Janneh ruled that the court could not proceed in the absence of a bill of indictment and directed the prosecution to file the indictment within 30 days.
The judge also ordered the Gambia Prison Service to ensure that the accused received appropriate medical attention whenever necessary, including referral to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital under the required security arrangements.
Jallow is accused of fatally stabbing Ebou Njie, an electrical engineer, at Latrikunda German.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to 21 October 2026 for further proceedings.
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