#NHRC-2024-0055 - Unlawful Detention Investigation
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Incident Details
Date of Incident
January 10, 2024
Location
Brikama Police Station, West Coast Region
Violation Type
Unlawful Detention
Perpetrator
Police Officers (Names unknown)
Incident Summary
Ñing kumoo ye ko a tara polisiw bolo Brikama poliisi taa la, a siita yen tile saba kono, a ma don sariya ɲɛ. A kiliyaa ko a minɛnta Januwari tile 10, san 2024, tili tɛmɛ saba waati la Brikama luumo daa la. A ma a fɔ a ye ko mun na a minɛnta.
A siinɔ sen na, a kiliyaa ko a banna sariya dɛmɛbaa sɔrɔ la ani a banna ka a somɔɔw weele fɔ a bɔra Januwari tile 13, san 2024. A bɔra senkari si tɛ a kun. A b'a fɛ ko ñininkali kɛ a siinɔ kow la ani ɲɛnabɔli ɲuman sɔrɔ.
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6
Investigation In Progress
FJ
Fatou Jallow (Case Officer)
Formal investigation ongoing. Evidence collection and witness interviews in progress.
Started: 10 Jan 2024
Target completion: 10 Feb 2024
✓
Status Update
FJ
Fatou Jallow (Case Officer)
Site visit to Brikama completed. Evidence collected.
✓
Investigation Started
FJ
Fatou Jallow (Case Officer)
Initial complainant interview scheduled.
Notes: Complainant available weekday mornings only.
✓
Case Assigned
AC
Amadou Ceesay (Supervisor)
Assigned to Fatou Jallow for investigation.
✓
Screening Completed
AC
Amadou Ceesay (Supervisor)
Case meets admissibility criteria. Assigned to investigation.
Notes: Jurisdiction confirmed - incident occurred in Brikama, post-2017.
✓
Complaint Received
System (Auto-generated)
Complaint submitted via online form by Momodou Bah.
Complaint submitted via online form by Protected Individual.
Investigation Activities
Interview - Complainant
10 Jan 2024, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (2 hours)
Participants: Momodou Bah (Complainant), Fatou Jallow (Investigator)
Conducted detailed interview with complainant regarding the circumstances of his detention. Key points covered: sequence of events during arrest, treatment during detention, denial of legal counsel, and conditions of release. Complainant provided consistent testimony and expressed willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. Emotional distress observed when recounting detention conditions. Participants: Protected Individual (Complainant), Fatou Jallow (Investigator)
Conducted detailed interview with complainant regarding the circumstances of his detention. Key points covered: sequence of events during arrest, treatment during detention, denial of legal counsel, and conditions of release. Complainant provided consistent testimony and expressed willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. Emotional distress observed when recounting detention conditions.
Conducted detailed interview with complainant regarding the circumstances of his detention. Key points covered: sequence of events during arrest, treatment during detention, denial of legal counsel, and conditions of release. Complainant provided consistent testimony and expressed willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. Emotional distress observed when recounting detention conditions. Participants: Protected Individual (Complainant), Fatou Jallow (Investigator)
Conducted detailed interview with complainant regarding the circumstances of his detention. Key points covered: sequence of events during arrest, treatment during detention, denial of legal counsel, and conditions of release. Complainant provided consistent testimony and expressed willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation. Emotional distress observed when recounting detention conditions.
Attachment: Interview_Transcript_10Jan.pdf
Site Visit - Incident Location
12 Jan 2024, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (3 hours)
Location: Brikama Police Station, West Coast Region
Visited Brikama Police Station to inspect detention facilities and document conditions. Observed holding cells, interviewed duty officers (who declined formal statements pending authorization), and photographed detention log book entries for January 10-13, 2024. Noted discrepancies between official records and complainant's account regarding duration of detention.
Visited Brikama Police Station to inspect detention facilities and document conditions. Observed holding cells, interviewed duty officers (who declined formal statements pending authorization), and photographed detention log book entries for January 10-13, 2024. Noted discrepancies between official records and complainant's account regarding duration of detention.
Attachment: Site_Visit_Photos.zip, Detention_Log_Photos.pdf
Evidence Collection - Document Request
15 Jan 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (1.5 hours)
Submitted formal request to Brikama Police Station for CCTV footage from January 10-13, 2024 covering the main entrance, holding cells, and processing area. Also requested copies of arrest documentation, duty rosters for the period, and any incident reports filed. Station commander acknowledged receipt and indicated 14-day response timeline. Follow-up scheduled for January 29, 2024.
Phone Call - Witness Interview
18 Jan 2024, 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (30 mins)
Participants: Amadou Sanneh (Witness), Fatou Jallow (Investigator)
Conducted preliminary phone interview with witness who was present at Brikama market during complainant's arrest. Witness confirmed seeing complainant being apprehended by two uniformed officers and placed in a police vehicle. Witness stated no explanation was given to bystanders. Agreed to provide written statement and attend formal interview at NHRC office next week.
Conducted preliminary phone interview with witness who was present at Brikama market during complainant's arrest. Witness confirmed seeing complainant being apprehended by two uniformed officers and placed in a police vehicle. Witness stated no explanation was given to bystanders. Agreed to provide written statement and attend formal interview at NHRC office next week.
Witnesses
| Name | Role | Contact | Interview Status | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fatou Ceesay
|
Complainant | +220 123 4567 | Completed | |
|
Momodou Sowe
|
Eyewitness | +220 234 5678 | Scheduled (15 Jan) | |
|
Lamin Bojang
|
Character Witness | +220 345 6789 | Pending | |
|
Aminata Jallow
|
Expert Witness (Doctor) | +220 456 7890 | Completed |
Recommendations Tracking
| Recommendation | Responsible Party | Target Date | Status | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Disciplinary action against officers involved
Initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against officers responsible for the unlawful detention.
|
Inspector General of Police | Mar 15, 2024 | In Progress | |
|
Compensation for complainant
Provide appropriate compensation for the unlawful detention and denial of rights.
|
Ministry of Justice | Apr 30, 2024 | Not Started | |
|
Training on detention procedures
Conduct training for all officers at Brikama Police Station on lawful detention procedures and constitutional rights.
|
Gambia Police Force Training Unit | Jun 30, 2024 | Partially Implemented |
Follow-up Notes
Feb 10, 2024
Received confirmation from IGP's office that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. Awaiting outcome report.
Jan 28, 2024
Training unit confirmed that first session of detention procedures training was conducted on Jan 25. Two more sessions scheduled.
Communication Log
Message from Complainant
Mandinka
Jan 20, 2024 at 3:15 PM
N b'a fɛ ka a lɔn ko ñininkali bɛ taa cogo di? N somɔɔw bɛ hami la kosɛbɛ. A bɛ se ka n weele bawo n tɛ se ka na buro la.
Phone Call - Complainant
Phone Call - Protected Individual
Jan 18, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Called complainant to inform about case acceptance and investigation commencement. Complainant confirmed availability for follow-up interview scheduled for Jan 22.
Called Protected Individual to inform about case acceptance and investigation commencement. Complainant confirmed availability for follow-up interview scheduled for Jan 22.
Email - Brikama Police Station
Jan 18, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Sent formal request for detention records and incident reports for January 10-13, 2024. Requested response within 14 working days.
Phone Call - Initial Intake
Jan 15, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Initial intake call with complainant. Gathered preliminary information and scheduled in-person visit for same day to complete formal complaint filing.
Internal Staff Notes
Jan 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Spoke with colleague at Ministry of Interior who confirmed the station has been subject to multiple complaints this year. May want to flag this for pattern analysis if similar cases emerge.
Jan 17, 2024 at 11:30 AM
Reviewed complaint during screening committee. Strong prima facie case for unlawful detention under Section 19 of the Constitution. Recommend immediate acceptance and prioritization.
Jan 15, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Complainant appeared distressed but coherent during intake interview. He provided consistent details throughout. No visible injuries but complainant mentioned poor conditions during detention. Will need to document this in follow-up interview.