Former Deputy Police Commissioner Files D5 Million Lawsuit Against IGP, Case Set for Mention on November 20
Seedy M Touray, Inspector General of Police
By Landing Ceesay
A civil lawsuit filed by Sambujang Fatty, the former Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for the Policy, Planning, Research, and Training Departments, against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is scheduled for its first mention in court on November 20, 2024.
Fatty is challenging the “wrongful” termination of his contract with the Gambia Police Force, which he claims was executed without due process. The lawsuit, filed at the High Court, seeks a declaration that his dismissal, issued by the Public Service Commission on October 2, 2024, was unlawful. Fatty is requesting the court to order his immediate reinstatement to his previous position and rank within the Gambia Police Force.
In addition to his reinstatement, Fatty is demanding compensation for all his entitlements from the date of his dismissal until the date of his reinstatement. He is also asking the court to declare that his termination violated procedural fairness.
The former Deputy Commissioner has claimed damages amounting to D5 million (Five Million Dalasis) for what he asserts was an unjust and retaliatory termination. His lawsuit is supported by a 96-paragraph affidavit that outlines his distinguished career and significant contributions to the Gambia Police Force.
Fatty argues that his dismissal was not only unlawful but also procedurally flawed. He alleges that the Public Service Commission ignored provisions designed to protect public servants’ rights, thus undermining the integrity of the entire disciplinary process. According to Fatty, his termination was a direct result of his actions as a whistleblower, exposing alleged misconduct and incompetence within the Gambia Police Force under the leadership of the IGP.
“My termination is retaliatory because I brought to light the wrongdoing/incompetence of the IGP as a whistle-blower. The ultimate aim of the petition is to address these critical issues and advocate for decisive actions that will restore the integrity, efficiency, and accountability of the GPF. It is imperative that the concerns raised in the petition are urgently addressed to safeguard the nation’s security and ensure the GPF fulfills its mandate to protect and serve the citizens of The Gambia.
“My ultimate goal is for the authorities to take serious actions towards building a police force that is respected and trusted by the public, capable of providing high-quality policing services, and committed to the principles of fairness and justice. It is an irrefutable fact that the ultimate objective of my petition is to bring to light activities and practices within the Gambia Police Force that are deemed unethical, illegitimate, unsafe, and repugnant to institutional development and national security,” he said.Deputy Commissioner Fatty highlighted that his decision to resign from his position as a Law Enforcement Specialist at the United Nations Office for Project Services in Tanzania, effective June 20, 2023, was motivated by a deep sense of patriotism and love for his country.
He expressed that the unfair decision to terminate his appointment has caused him significant distress and humiliation, leading to countless sleepless nights.