By Lamin Njie
A man detained over drug trafficking charges has died after hanging himself in the toilet of his cell, the spokesman of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said.
Bissau Guinean Januario Wonde Beducande Findan hanged himself early Wednesday and was discovered by a officer on duty at the DLEAG’s compound in Bijilo, Ousman Saidyba told The Fatu Network.
It comes amid claims the man believed to be 31 years old died as a result of torture and starvation. The DLEAG also faced accusations they were trying to cover up the man’s death.
Ousman Saidyba however said: “About him being tortured is definitely not how things went about.
“He was arrested by our officers on the 26 January 2020 at the Giboro border post with 12 pillets of cocaine and this cocaine weighed 115 grams, 800 milligrams.
“After the arrest, he was referred to the Sensitive Investigation Unit of the agency for further investigation.
“When the investigation was completed, the matter was referred to the Brikama Magistrates Court on 17 February 2020 but the case could not proceed because the court did not have a Creole interpreter.
“On two other subsequent occasions, that is February 26 and 2nd March, the matter could not proceed again because there was no court interpreter.
“When the matter then proceeded on 24 March 2020, he was remanded at Mile Two prison but by the time the escorts arrived there it was past 6pm, and according to the regulations of Mile Two, they cannot admit somebody at that particular time.
“The following day on 25 March, the escorts returned with him and then he was admitted but however on 26 March, instructions were given for him to be returned to the custody of DLEAG due to the COVID-19 outbreak. That is how he came to be back into our own custody. Important to note that when the court remands somebody, it’s only them that can grant bail, we cannot grant bail.
“Also, the ministry of foreign affairs was used to write to the Guinea Bissau embassy to inform them and this letter was sent on 26 March to inform them about the arrest of their national.
“So in the early hours of today, the officer who was on duty at the CTI [DLEAG complex in Bijilo] was on normal routine check on detainees. He found this person hanging dead in the cell toilet with the trouser used as a rope.
“Immediately when it happened, the matter was reported to the Gambia Police Force. So this is for people who say we took him to the hospital. That is not the case. Immediately when it happened the Gambia Police Force was informed because everybody has his jurisdiction. A team of [police] crime investigators were dispatched to conduct the necessary procedures.”
