The Ceesay family has decided to withdraw a police complaint that they filed at the Banjul police, following the death of their loved one Matarr Ceesay. Matarr was alleged to have been shot and killed around Bondroad, along the riverside, about a week ago. But the family now said Matarr died because of drowning. They are treating his death as a natural cause.
“That I am the despondent herein to this affidavit. That the above named Matarr Ceesay got drown in the sea along Bond road which resulted in his untimely death. The case was reported to the Banjul police Headquarters and after discussion with other members of the family, we hereby agreed to withdraw the case which involved the said Matarr Ceesay. That I hereby give my information and voluntary consent to declare that I have withdraw the case at the Banjul police station on behalf of the family,” Omar Ceesay, a brother to the late Matarr Ceesay stated in an affidavit.
“That I on behalf of the family want to have this chapter closed and withdraw the case unconditionally believing is the will of God. That acting on behalf of the family and with full consent of the family, I hereby make this affidavit to declare and withdraw the case. That I make the above declaration in support of this affidavit,” Omar Ceesay added.
The late Matarr Ceesay’s body was handed to his family for decent burial. Ceesay had left a wife and four kids behind.
Banjul Newtown Councillor Pa Ceesay was contacted to shed light on the authenticity of the affidavit purporting to contain his brother’s signature. He picked up the call, but never uttered a word when we tried to engage him into a conversation. A second call to his line, showed that his phone was off.
The affidavit published below purporting to have contained Omar Ceesay’s signature, was forwarded to us by an anonymous concerned citizen. We are yet to receive the details of the postmortem report on the death of Matarr Ceesay.
Below is a statement issued by the police prior to the family’s move to withdraw Matarr’s case.
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INVESTIGATION ON A DEAD BODY FOUND ALONG THE MANGROVE SWAMPS IN BANJUL
The Office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to inform the public that, it has opened investigations into circumstances surrounding the incident of a single dead body found along the mangroves of Banjul on the 25th September 2020.
The body was later identified as Matar Ceesay, 37 years old male of no. 14 McDonald Street in Banjul.
Preliminary investigations revealed that, the found body is linked to an incident reported by the Police Patrols in Banjul dated 19th September 2020.
The report indicates that during routine patrols in Banjul and its surroundings, the Police came across a vehicle with registration number BJL 2597 H, around Bond road.
As they approached the vehicle two individuals were seen from a distance running into the mangroves and swimming away. The officers pursued but lost track of them.
Police officers returned to the vehicle and a search was conducted. They recovered 56 kilos of suspected cannabis wrapped in bundles. An additional unspecified amount of suspected cannabis was also recovered in another bag inside the vehicle. The vehicle and the suspected cannabis were then taken to the Police Station and a case file opened for further investigations.
Karim Jabbie alias Chana, a mechanic by profession was later arrested in connection to the incident and Usaman Rahman owner of the vehicle was also arrested. They were later handed to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency as it was a suspected drug related matter .
Police probe further established that, it was Matar Ceesay (deceased) and one Njaga whose whereabouts is yet to be established, who ran into the mangroves leaving the vehicle and suspected cannabis behind.
The found body of Matar Ceesay has been sent to the EFSTH mortuary for further examination to establish cause of death.
The Public is assured that the matter will be investigated and the outcome communicated to the public.
The usual support and cooperation of the public is highly solicited. The public is encouraged to share information that maybe useful to the investigation.
From Lamin Njie police spokesman
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