The Gambian government, through the office of the Chief Justice, has appointed Principal Magistrate Dawda Phatty to lead an investigation panel into the death of Brigadier General Bora Colley while in state custody.

The senior army officer died on Monday night at the age of 61. He had returned to the country after spending eight years in exile.

Following his death, the Gambian government promised to launch a coroner’s inquest.

In response, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General sought directives from the Chief Justice to establish the inquest.

In reply to the request, the Chief Justice stated in a letter that he deems it necessary to launch the inquest pursuant to Section 11(1)(a) of the Coroner’s Act into the death of General Colley.

“His Lordship has appointed His Worship Dawda Phatty, Principal Magistrate of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, to conduct an inquest into the death of General Bora Colley, to determine the possible cause of his death, and to submit his report to the Hon. Chief Justice upon completion of the inquest within a reasonable period of time,” the statement said.

By Adama Makasuba