Three-Year Jail Term for Reckless Drifting Incident at Abuko School

The Bundung Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Malick Badjie to three years in prison with hard labor after a reckless driving incident in a school zone left a 13-year-old pupil severely injured.

Badjie was convicted on a single count of reckless and negligent act, contrary to Section 190 of the Criminal Offence Act, 2025. The charge stemmed from an incident on July 18, 2025, when his vehicle struck Abdourahman Bah, a Grade 6 pupil, on the premises of a school in Abuko.

Appearing before Magistrate I. Dibba, Badjie pleaded guilty after the charge was read to him. The court heard that he had been drifting recklessly in his Mercedes-Benz, registration number BJL 7450 Y, within the school grounds before hitting the young student. The collision left Bah with life-threatening injuries, ultimately resulting in the amputation of his leg.

Assistant Commissioner A. Manga, assisted by Inspector Y. Njie, appeared for the Inspector General of Police. Prosecutors tendered the victim’s medical reports and other evidence, while the injured boy was also brought before the court.

In delivering judgment, Magistrate Dibba condemned Badjie’s conduct, describing it as “carefree” and “indisciplined.” The magistrate stressed that Badjie had driven into a space intended for the protection of children at excessive speed, showing “a degree of recklessness no reasonable driver would have exhibited.”

“The vehicle struck Abdourahman Bah, causing severe injuries and inflicting pain on the child’s family, teachers, and classmates. The victim, Abdourahman Bah, sustained critical injuries, with one of his legs being squeezed against a wall by the vehicle,” Magistrate Dibba remarked.

Magistrate Dibba remarked that Abdourahman’s life would never be the same and that he is now completely incapacitated, requiring assistance to move. Magistrate Dibba also highlighted the immense trauma the victim and his family must have endured.

The court ruled that Badjie’s sentence should serve as both punishment and deterrence, underscoring that such reckless endangerment of children will not be tolerated in society.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Badjie was ordered to pay compensation of D1,000,000 (one million dalasis) to the victim for the severe physical and emotional suffering inflicted. Should he default on this payment, he will serve an additional two years in prison, with both terms to run consecutively from the date of his remand.