A coroner’s report issued by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow has concluded that the death of former Brigadier General Bora Colley, an alleged member of Yahya Jammeh’s notorious “Junglers” paramilitary unit, was due to natural causes. The findings, released on Wednesday, follow Colley’s reported death in custody at Yundum Military Barracks, where he was detained after surrendering to authorities in August 2024.
The investigation, conducted by the Office of the Chief Justice, found no evidence of foul play, inhumane treatment, or degrading conditions surrounding Colley’s death. “The evidence clearly supports a natural cause of death,” the report stated, citing medical evaluations that pointed to a brief illness as the likely cause. The judiciary emphasized its rigorous and impartial approach, aiming to address public concerns about the high-profile case.
Colley, who fled to Equatorial Guinea with Jammeh in 2017, returned to The Gambia and surrendered on August 9, 2024, after years in exile. His arrest was a milestone in the country’s pursuit of justice for atrocities committed by the Junglers, a unit accused of extrajudicial killings and torture during Jammeh’s 22-year regime. The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) had confirmed his detention, stating he was cooperating with military police investigations before his death.
However, Colley’s death, first reported by military and family sources, raised immediate questions. Colonel Lamin K. Sanyang, GAF’s Director of Press and Public Relations, initially told Alkamba Times he was unaware of the death, fueling speculation. Sources later indicated Colley’s health deteriorated rapidly, though no specific cause was disclosed until the coroner’s report.
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions. Legal analysts praised the judiciary’s transparency but noted that Colley’s death in custody could undermine public trust in transitional justice efforts.
“While the coroner’s findings are clear, questions about detainee welfare persist,” the legal analyst who wishes to remain unnamed told TAT. Activists have called for greater oversight of high-profile detainees, citing concerns over conditions at Yundum Barracks.
The Office of the Chief Justice expressed condolences to Colley’s family, reaffirming its commitment to fair investigations.
As The Gambia grapples with its past, Colley’s death highlights the challenges of balancing justice and accountability in a nation still healing from decades of authoritarian rule.
