The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing rebuke of the Barrow administration, accusing it of lacking the political will to tackle drug trafficking and hold high-profile offenders accountable. The opposition party’s condemnation comes in the wake of the recent dismissal of charges against former Chief Magistrate Pa Modou Njie, a case that has spotlighted systemic failures within The Gambia’s justice system and the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG).
The Bundung Magistrate Court struck out all charges against Njie—including drug dealing, abuse of office, and theft—due to prosecutorial incompetence, marking a significant embarrassment for the government. The case, adjourned five times because of inaction by the Inspector General of Police’s office and the Ministry of Justice, was dismissed for violating Njie’s constitutional right to a speedy trial. The UDP argues this is not an isolated incident but a symptom of deeper institutional collapse, raising questions about how many other drug-related cases are languishing due to negligence.
UDP’s statement calls out President Barrow’s “Zero Tolerance” policy on drugs as hypocritical, pointing to the abysmally low conviction rates in high-profile cases. While DLEAG reported 633 arrests in 2023 and the seizure of nearly two tons of drugs, the UDP notes that convictions remain rare, particularly for influential figures. Courts are overwhelmed with minor possession cases, while major traffickers operate with impunity, suggesting a justice system that disproportionately targets petty offenders while shielding elites.
The opposition party has demanded answers from the Ministry of Justice, accusing it of either incompetence or complicity in the Njie case, where delays in providing legal advice stalled progress for months. The UDP is calling for an independent audit of all drug-related cases dismissed or stalled due to prosecutorial failures, alongside public accountability for the Attorney General and Inspector General, who oversee what they describe as a “broken system.”
The UDP also highlighted the growing drug crisis among Gambian youth, with substances like kush, ecstasy, and cocaine flooding the streets. The party criticized the government’s lack of robust rehabilitation programs, noting that its response relies heavily on punitive arrests without addressing root causes or providing transparency in investigations. The UDP referenced the unresolved “unburned drugs” scandal as evidence of the government’s failure to maintain public trust.
In a call to action, the UDP demanded immediate reforms to the Ministry of Justice to expedite drug-related cases and the resignation of officials responsible for the collapse of the Njie case. “This government’s inaction is a betrayal of our youth and national security,” the UDP Media Team stated, vowing to continue exposing these failures until justice is served.
The UDP’s statement underscores growing public frustration with the Barrow administration’s handling of drug trafficking, a critical issue threatening The Gambia’s social fabric and security.
As the opposition intensifies its criticism, pressure mounts on the government to address these systemic shortcomings and restore confidence in the justice system.
