Coroner’s Inquest Requested Bora's Death Under Custody

In accordance with the laws of the Gambia when a person dies under custody of the State Central Prisons or security services a Coroner’s report must be provided to ascertain the actual cause of death of that person. Section 6(1) of the Coroners Act specifically indicates that : when a person dies while in police custody, under the supervision of a prison officer, or in prison, the police officer, prison officer, or any individual responsible for the care of the deceased at the time of death must immediately notify the nearest Coroner. The Coroner will then conduct an inquiry into the cause of death. Such a Coroner shall exercise all the powers conferred by the Criminal Procedure Code upon a magistrate holding a preliminary inquiry. To this effect the Gambia government through the Minister of Justice has ordered for inquest to investigate the possible causes of death for former army Brigadier General Bora Colley who died Sunday evening. Jarranews confirmed this from the press statement issued by the Gambia Armed Forces on Monday morning March 10 2025. Bellow is the full detail of the press release.

The Gambia Armed Forces regrets to announce the passing of Brigadier General Bora Colley on 9 March 2025. Brigadier General Colley voluntarily returned to The Gambia on 9 August 2024, after eight (8) years of self-imposed exile, citing deteriorating health conditions. During his time in exile in Guinea-Bissau, he also traveled to Casamance and the Middle East. Following his return, Brigadier General Colley was taken into state custody due to the circumstances surrounding his departure and his implication in the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) report, which recommended his prosecution for the killing and torture of victims in various locations in The Gambia. While in custody, his medical condition was assessed and found to require continuous medical monitoring, which was provided by the state. Despite these efforts, he succumbed to his medical condition on 9 March 2025. Meanwhile, the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice has applied to His Lordship, the Hon. Chief Justice for an inquest to be conducted pursuant to the Coroner’s Act in respect of the Deceased who died while in the custody of the Armed Forces. The purpose of the inquest is to ascertain the actual cause of death of the Deceased. The Gambia Armed Forces extends its condolences to his family. *The Government of The Gambia remains committed to fully investigating and prosecuting cases that arose from the recommendations of the TRRC, as contained in its White Paper on the TRRC Report.* Issued by: DHQ , Gambia Armed Forces Banjul, The Gambia 10 March 2025