By Buba Gagigo
The Manjai Sports Association has lodged a formal protest with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), raising serious allegations against Deputy Commissioner Abdou Jagne of the Kanifing Municipal Police Division. In a letter sent to the IGP, the Association accuses Deputy Commissioner Jagne of compromising the neutrality and integrity of law enforcement in the ongoing dispute over the management and control of the Father Gough Sports Complex.
The Association contends that the Deputy Commissioner’s conduct constitutes a clear conflict of interest and undermines lawful authority. They are calling for his immediate removal from any involvement in the matter and for an independent investigation into his actions.
“We write to formally register a strong protest concerning the conduct and actions of Deputy Commissioner Abdou Jagne of the Kanifing Municipal Police Division in relation to the ongoing dispute over the Father Gough Sports Complex. Since this matter came under his purview, the Deputy Commissioner has exhibited conduct that clearly compromises the neutrality and integrity expected of his office,” the letter reads in part.
The Manjai Sports Association outlined several key incidents underpinning their concerns:
1. Conflict of Interest: Deputy Commissioner Jagne resides in Manjai, creating an inherent conflict in a case requiring impartial adjudication. The association contends his actions demonstrate bias in favor of protestors opposing the duly constituted Sports Committee.
2. Violation of Police Directive: On June 27, 2025, at a meeting held at Kairaba Police Station, Deputy Commissioner Jagne issued an order temporarily closing the park, restricting access exclusively to the park manager and official security personnel. However, on June 28, Mr. Salieu Keita, Baba Karafa Touray (Chairman, Manjai VDC), and three police officers led by ASP Jammeh unlawfully entered the premises, seizing the park manager’s keys and transporting them to Manjai Police Station under Jagne’s directive. Instead of addressing the trespassers, the Deputy Commissioner briefly detained the park manager—the authorized custodian of the keys.
3. Undermining Lawful Authority: On June 29, Deputy Commissioner Jagne announced the implementation of a “joint security arrangement” involving one of the protestors alongside official park security personnel. This decision follows unauthorized gatherings by individuals threatening to forcibly remove the elected Sports Committee. The association argues this move legitimizes unlawful behavior and endangers the authority and safety of the recognized management.
The Manjai Sports Association, operating under the guidance of the Kanifing Municipal Council, the Kanifing Municipal Sports Committee, and the National Sports Council, maintains full compliance with governance structures. It has consistently exercised restraint, pursued peaceful resolution channels, and engaged with police and administrative authorities. The association describes the Deputy Commissioner’s conduct as “unacceptable” and “deeply troubling,” accusing him of exacerbating the dispute.
The letter to the IGP includes the following requests:
1. Immediate removal of Deputy Commissioner Abdou Jagne from all involvement in the Father Gough Sports Complex matter due to conflict of interest and partial conduct.
2. Initiation of an independent investigation into his handling of recent incidents, including the wrongful arrest of the park manager and failure to address known agitators.
3. Reinstatement of the original police directive ordering the temporary closure of the facility pending resolution by the Kanifing Municipal Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.