Coroner’s inquest not enough for charges, says Justice Minister

He explained that while the coroner may recommend prosecution, the final decision rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions. “The recommendation is that the DPP may consider prosecution. It means the coroner has left that discretion for the prosecutor to decide. And the prosecutor’s decision will be purely based on the evidence that is in the file.”

Jallow revealed that the Ministry of Justice has requested the police case file and is awaiting its submission. “Prior to even the coroner being appointed, the police had launched an investigation. We are yet to receive the case file, so we have requested for it,” he said.

Responding to claims that the ministry only acted after public pressure, he rejected the suggestion outright. “Not to my knowledge. I don’t think we are reacting to that when we received it, the Ministry of Justice was studying the file and then the press statement was released.”

He also sought to reassure the public and the victim’s family. “We have assured the family and by extension the Gambian public that whatever needs to be done will be done according to law.”

On other matters, the minister declined to comment on the Ousainou Bojang case, citing ongoing proceedings. “When a matter is sub judice, we cannot discuss it in public,” he said.

Turning to governance issues, Jallow described The Gambia’s transitional justice efforts as globally recognised. “Gambia’s achievement in transitional justice is exemplary worldwide. I never thought we could have come this far,” he said.

Despite resource constraints, Jallow maintained that the government remains committed. “It’s a Gambian process. We are committed to taking it to its logical conclusion,” he said.

He concluded with a broader ambition: “My desire is to leave behind a ministry that is state of the art that could match any law firm, not only in the Gambia, but even outside.”