A Gambian man, Lamin Badjie, has been remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison after allegedly assaulting his wife and inflicting a serious eye injury during a domestic dispute over a meal she served him.
The incident reportedly occurred last week in Foni Mandina, where an argument over dinner escalated into violence.
Badjie was arrested by police and transferred to the Brikama Police Station before being arraigned before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 2, 2026. He pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
The court subsequently imposed a fine of D100,000 and ordered him to pay an additional D100,000 as compensation to his wife, Fatou Sanneh. He was also remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison.
According to Fatou, the altercation began shortly after her husband returned home and asked to be served dinner.
She said she served him nyankatang mixed with benachin, but he repeatedly complained that he did not want the meal. When she asked if he preferred the nyankatang served separately, he allegedly continued to express dissatisfaction.
Fatou told the court that the situation worsened after her husband asked for water.
“He asked me to bring him water, and as I was going to get it, he spat on me. I told him to stop. After I gave him the water and walked away, he followed me, threw the bowl in front of me and started beating me,” she alleged.
She said her husband’s aunt intervened and briefly stopped the assault, but the violence resumed after she remarked that “a man who beats his wife does not live long.”
According to her testimony, the comment further enraged Badjie, who allegedly attacked her again, leaving her with a severe injury to one of her eyes.
Fatou was initially taken to the Kanilai Health Centre before being referred to Bwiam General Hospital, where she was admitted overnight for treatment.
The couple have two children together.
The case has drawn attention to the continued prevalence of domestic violence in The Gambia, with advocates urging victims to report abuse and seek legal protection while calling for stronger enforcement of laws safeguarding women and children.