The inquest into the death of Omar Badjie, who died following an alleged encounter with police on September 26, 2025, continued with the testimony of the deceased’s uncle, Tumane Badjie, the fifth witness in the case.
The witness was called to the stand and sworn in on the Qur’an before giving his testimony and introduced himself as Tumane Badjie.
Tumane Badjie, who chose to speak in Mandinka, informed the court that he resides in Mandinaring and confirmed his relationship with the deceased, stating that Omar was the son of his elder brother. “The father and I shared the same mother and father,” he confirmed.
Principal Magistrate Anna asked the witness if he could recall the date September 26, 2025, to which Tumane Badjie responded, “Yes I can recall it.”
When asked about the day’s events, the witness stated, “I was at home since morning but I had the information around 11 a.m.”
Principal Magistrate asked, “Are you leaving together with the late Omar Badjie? He clarified that they did not live in the same room, they shared the same family compound.
Recounting the last time he saw his nephew, Tumane Badjie told the court: “Omar left us at the compound. He told us that he was going to work at Mandinaring Health Centre at the mortuary, as they were the ones building the mortuary.” When pressed for the exact time Omar left, the witness admitted, “I cannot say the time but he told us he’s going to work.”
The Principal Magistrate then asked if Omar Badjie had returned home. “He did not return home,” the witness responded, adding sadly, “He did not come back home alive.”
Tumane Badjie narrated that the news reached him around 11:00 a.m.
“I was lying at the compound when someone called Soffie Sanyang, came and informed me about the incident,” the witness recounted. “She told me Omar is lying down at the Mandinaring Health Centre, he has a problem with the police.”
Upon receiving the information, he (Tumane Badjie) rushed to the hospital. “When Soffie informed me, I went to the hospital, and I met Omar lying down,” he testified. “I also met my elder brother Bakary Sanyang standing beside Omar with Sophie and the nurses who were attending Omar and one police officer who was also standing where Omar was.”
When asked by the Principal Magistrate whether he would recall the police and nurses’ names? Tumane Badjie was unable to recall the names of the nurses and the police officer present, stating, “No, I cannot. That was my first time seeing them.”
Principal Magistrate Anna adjourned the matter to Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. for the continuation of Tumane Badjie’s testimony.
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