Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The inquest into the death of Omar Badjie, who died following an encounter with police on 26 September, resumed on Monday with the testimony of a second witness—this time behind closed doors.

Magistrate Anna O. Mendy ordered the proceedings to be moved from the open courtroom to her chambers, barring journalists and the general public from attending.

Only the witness, the family’s lawyer, and two relatives were permitted inside. No explanation was provided to the press for the sudden change.

The inquest, which aims to determine the cause and circumstances of Badjie’s death, had previously been open to the public during the testimony of the first witness, Chief Superintendent Lamin Cham. That session was adjourned to Monday, 13 October, at 11:00 a.m. for the hearing of the second witness.

Before the session began, Counsel A.J. Njie, representing the family, told relatives and journalists that he would object to the decision to move proceedings into chambers.

By midday, police officers, two family members, and the family’s lawyer were called into the Magistrate’s chambers, leaving journalists and observers waiting in an empty courtroom with no court staff present.

With the inquest now proceeding in private, the public will have to depend on accounts from those admitted to the closed session for updates on testimony and findings.