The inquest into the death of Omar Badjie, who died following a police encounter on September 26, 2023, resumed today with testimony from the Officer-in-Charge of the Mandinary Health Center.
Muhammad Jaiteh, a registered nurse-midwife at the center, described the medical care provided to Badjie, confirming that he arrived unconscious with critically low vital signs. Despite intervention, Badjie remained unresponsive and was later referred to Kanifing General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Before Magistrate Anna O. Mendy, Nurse Jaiteh recounted the events of September 26, 2025. He stated that at 10:00 a.m., he was called to the Outpatient Department by on-duty nurses after police brought in a patient.
“I quickly did an assessment and noticed that the patient was unconscious and was not responding to calls or touches,” Jaiteh told the court. The patient’s initial vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, respiration, and oxygen saturation, were taken and indicated that “there was life, but the vitals were very low.”
He explained that Badjie was placed on oxygen at 10 liters per minute, given a cannula, administered fluids, and had blood samples taken. Tests revealed low hemoglobin and blood sugar, prompting the administration of 50% glucose.
After 30 minutes with no response, Nurse Jaiteh arranged for an ambulance from Banjulinding Health Centre and prepared the referral documents. A subsequent assessment at 1:10 p.m. showed slight improvements in blood pressure and oxygen levels, but Badjie remained unconscious.
Under questioning from Magistrate Mendy, Nurse Jaiteh relayed the account provided by the four police officers who had brought Badjie in. “The four officers told me that they were on patrol and found that he was in possession of cannabis. They pursued him while jumping over several fences. They later found him lying in the grass airlock and brought him to the health center.” Jaiteh testified.
Jaiteh testified that he delegated Sunkary Demba, another nurse, to accompany Badjie to Kanifing General Hospital, alongside two family members and a police officer. Tragically, he later received a call from Nurse Demba informing him that Badjie had passed away en route. He instructed the team to continue to Kanifing General Hospital to confirm the death and safeguard the body.
The court verified Nurse Jaiteh’s qualifications, marking his university documents, appointment and deployment letters, and nursing identification card as Exhibits OB 7 through OB 10. The medical report documenting Badjie’s care—the patient folder—was also submitted as Exhibit OB 11.
The inquest has been adjourned to Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.