By: Fatou Krubally
The Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has strongly condemned the recent arrest of Binta Njie, arguing that the real culprit should be Babucarr Bahoum.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, March 4, he accused the authorities of targeting the wrong person while the true offender remains free.
“This is nothing but a miscarriage of justice,” he declared. “Why arrest Binta Njie when Babucarr Bahoum is the one who should be answering for his actions? This is a clear indication of selective justice and political interference.”
The opposition leader further described the situation as part of a pattern of unfair persecution against innocent individuals. He argued that Njie’s “arrest” was politically-motivated, aimed at silencing critical voices rather than ensuring justice.
According to him, Bahoum has evaded justice due to his connections, while Njie, whom he described as innocent, has been unfairly detained.
“This government continues to apply double standards. Instead of holding the real perpetrators accountable, they go after innocent individuals who have done nothing wrong,” he added. “This is not about justice; it is about protecting those in power and punishing those who stand for the truth.”
He criticized the handling of the case, alleging that law enforcement agencies were being manipulated for political purposes.
“The police and judiciary must remain independent. If they allow themselves to be used to settle political scores, they risk losing public trust entirely,” Darboe counselled.
The UDP leader also pointed out that this is not the first time such selective justice has been applied, referencing previous cases where individuals aligned with the ruling party had been shielded from prosecution despite serious allegations against them.
“This is exactly what weakens democracy. If the government truly believes in justice, let them prove it by ensuring everyone is treated equally before the law,” he stressed.
He called on law enforcement to immediately correct the situation and ensure justice prevails.
“This is not The Gambia we fought for. The law must be applied fairly, and those responsible for wrongdoing must be held accountable, no matter, who they are or what political connections they have,” Darboe further stressed.
The government has yet to respond to the opposition leader’s claims. However, his remarks have reignited debates on the fairness of the country’s justice system and whether political influences are undermining legal processes.
