Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Judiciary of The Gambia has interdicted Chief Magistrate Pa Modou Njie of the Bundung Magistrates Court following his detention in connection with a drug-related matter. This marks the latest in a series of troubling developments implicating judicial and law enforcement officials in drug-related scandals.

Chief Magistrate Njie was served with his interdiction letter yesterday afternoon at the Kairaba Police Station, where he is currently being held as police continue their investigation. Allegations suggest his detention is linked to illicit drugs in a case previously before the courts. Attempts to obtain comments from both the police and the Office of the Chief Justice were unsuccessful by press time.

This follows the arrest of another magistrate, Ebrima Janko Colley, and his registrar, Ridwan Othman, from the Kanifing Magistrates Court last month. The pair faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, theft, fraud, and breach of trust, dealing in prohibited drugs, and neglect of official duty, after 52 blocks of cocaine disappeared from the court’s custody.

Additionally, Mariama Jankeh Tamba, a clerk at the Kanifing Court, was charged with neglect of official duty for her failure to mark the cocaine blocks when they were presented as evidence. The stolen drugs had been admitted as exhibits in a high-profile narcotics case, raising questions about oversight and procedural failures within the judiciary.

In another development, an operative of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), Karamba Susso, has been arrested for allegedly assisting a drug trafficker. According to sources, Susso reportedly attempted to help the trafficker escape with a quantity of cocaine at the Banjul International Airport. He is currently in custody as investigations continue.

A source familiar with the case confirmed the arrest, stating, “Karamba was arrested in connection with trying to help an alleged drug trafficker escape with a quantity of cocaine at the Banjul International Airport.”

Two weeks ago, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) initiated an investigation into allegations of tampering with drugs intended for destruction during its annual drug destruction exercise held on 21st November.

Commissioner Abdoulie Ceesay, DLEAG’s director of media, advocacy, and drug demand reduction, confirmed the inquiry but refrained from providing further details, stating, “until the final outcome of the investigation.”

Implications for Judicial and Law Enforcement Integrity

These cases have cast a shadow over the integrity of a section of The Gambia’s judiciary and drug law enforcement agency. Public trust is strongly tested as high-ranking officials and operatives, entrusted with upholding the law, face accusations of corruption and complicity in drug-related crimes.

Many in the Gambia believe that the overlapping scandals underscore systemic vulnerabilities, with calls growing louder for urgent reforms and enhanced oversight mechanisms.

As investigations unfold, the public is closely watching how authorities handle these cases, which could set a precedent for addressing corruption within critical state institutions.