By: Sainabou Sambou
In a stern ruling on October 7, 2025, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh directed the Minister of the Interior, Abdoulie Sanyang, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Seedy Muctarr Touray, to address the chronic shortages of prison escort officers, which were causing delays in court proceedings. The directive was issued during the criminal case The State vs. Abdoulie Sanyang at Banjulβs High Court.
Presiding over the case, Justice Jaiteh expressed frustration at the repeated adjournments due to the insufficient number of male escort officers to transport remand prisoners.
With State Counsel S.L. Jobarteh, alongside S. Jawara and M. Sarr, representing the prosecution, and L.J. Darbo defending Sanyang, the court was set to proceed but faced yet another delay. Jaiteh noted that these disruptions violate the constitutional right to a fair and timely trial under Section 24(3) of the 1997 Constitution.
βThe lack of escort officers is a logistical failure that delays justice and erodes public trust in the judiciary,β Jaiteh declared. He emphasized that timely trials are critical to upholding detaineesβ rights and maintaining the courtβs integrity.
To resolve the issue, Jaiteh issued clear directives. He ordered the Minister of Interior to urgently assess staffing levels in the Gambia Prisons Service, focusing on escort officer availability, and to consider reassigning personnel from other security units or improving logistics, such as transportation. The IGP was instructed to coordinate with the Prisons Service to ensure prisoners are brought to court promptly.
βAccess to justice is both a constitutional right and an administrative duty,β Jaiteh stressed. βFailure to comply risks violating detaineesβ fundamental rights and judicial efficiency.β
The orders, formally issued under court seal on October 7, 2025, reflect Jaitehβs commitment to tackling systemic bottlenecks. The judge warned that continued delays could compromise the judiciaryβs credibility and infringe on detaineesβ rights.
