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By: Fabakary B. Ceesay
Information reaching Trumpet newspaper from credible sources within the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia, confirmed that a Bissau-Guinean, who was in the custody of DLEAG and on trial for drug trafficking has allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday 21st April 2020, at the Sensitive Investigation Unit of DLEAG at Bijilo.
Mr. Januario Wonde Beducande Findan has been under custody and standing trial at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court since his arrest on 26th January 2020, at Giboro border post with twelve (12) pellets of cocaine. The said pellets weighed 116 kilograms and 800 milligrams.
The Public Relations Officer of DLEAG Ousman Saidybah confirmed the incident and indicated that Mr. Findan was first arraigned at the Court on 17th March 2020, but the trial could not proceed due to lack of Creole language interpreter. Again he appeared at the said Court on 26th February and 2nd March respectively, but due to the same problem of language interpreter he was remanded.
PRO Saidybah indicated that Mr. Beducande Findan was again arraigned on 24th and 25th March and remanded at Mile II Prison. On 26th Mile II authorities instructed that he be detained at DLEAG SIU custody at Bijilo due to the outbreak of Coronavirus.
According to Saidybah, an official information was dispatched to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the matter to be reported to the Bissau Embassy in Banjul.
He further explained that on the evening of 21st March, whilst the DLEAG officers were on their normally routine checkup on detainees, Mr. Findan was found hanging dead on a cell toilet door using his trouser as a rope.
The matter was later reported to the Gambia Police Force and a team of Police investigators visited scene. The body was escorted to Sukuta Health Centre later to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
The case is now being handle by the Police investigators to determine the cause of death.