The inquest into the death of Omar Badjie, who died following an encounter with police on 26 September, continued on Monday with the testimony of the second witness—this time behind closed doors.
Presiding magistrate Anna O. Mendy ordered that the proceedings be held in chambers, effectively barring journalists and members of the public from attending. Only the witness, the family’s legal counsel, and two relatives of the deceased were permitted inside. No formal explanation was provided to the press for the sudden change in procedure.
The inquest, which seeks to establish the cause and circumstances surrounding Badjie’s death, had initially been conducted in open court. During the first session, Chief Superintendent Lamin Cham testified publicly before the matter was adjourned to Monday, 13 October, at 11:00 a.m. for the continuation of evidence.
Before the second hearing commenced, Counsel A.J. Njie, representing the Badjie family, informed relatives and journalists that Magistrate Mendy had decided to move the session to her private chambers. Njie indicated that he intended to object to the decision.
At around 12:00 p.m., only police officers, two family members, and the family’s counsel were invited into the magistrate’s chambers. Reporters and other interested observers were left waiting in the empty courtroom, with no court staff present.
When journalist Nicholas Manneh sought clarification, a court staff member confirmed the restriction, stating that the proceedings “should be held in chambers, not public.”
Counsel Njie later confirmed that the hearing was indeed taking place privately. He added that while he objected to the decision to exclude the public, his objection was overruled by the magistrate.
“The case is proceeding in the chamber,” Njie confirmed, adding that he had objected, but his objection “was overruled.”
The decision means that the remainder of the inquest will continue behind closed doors, with the public dependent on briefings from the involved parties for updates.
Typically, “in camera” or private proceedings are reserved for cases involving sensitive matters—such as the protection of vulnerable witnesses or national security concerns—and must be justified as both necessary and proportionate to the fair administration of justice.