By Sainabou Sambou
A police officer from The Gambia Police Force’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Tuesday, 11th November 2025, testified before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul in the ongoing criminal trial of former soldier Abdoulie Sanyang, who is accused of making politically sensitive statements and confessing to financing acts of arson.
Prosecutors S. L. Jobarteh and M. Sarr appeared for the State, while Fatoumatta Bonda and Fa Kebba Darbo represented the accused.
The fifth prosecution witness, Police Officer Ousman Gibba, who has served in the force for 16 years, told the court that Sanyang appeared on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio on August 14, 2025, where he allegedly made statements accusing President Adama Barrow of election malpractice.
According to Officer Gibba, during the interview, the accused also claimed that he had financed the burning of the APRC Bureau, bribed former members of the Junglers to spare President Barrow’s life during a purported plot before the 2016 elections, and described the judiciary as “clandestine” for failing to address the Sukuta-Jabang PIU shooting incident.
“He also admitted to financially contributing to the Three Years Jotna protest,” the witness testified, adding that the remarks led to a directive for Sanyang’s arrest.
Officer Gibba told the court that following the radio interview, a video of the program circulated widely on social media and was later analyzed at Police Headquarters. “Our Commissioner instructed the Airport Commissioner to arrest the accused. He was arrested at the airport and brought to the SIU for questioning,” Gibba said. He added that an investigation panel — of which he was a member — was set up to probe the matter.
During the investigation, Gibba said Sanyang allegedly admitted to financing the burning of the APRC Bureau but refused to name the person he paid to carry out the act. He also reaffirmed his earlier remarks about the Sukuta-Jabang incident.
The witness further testified that, upon arrest, police took an inventory of the accused’s belongings, including a Swiss residence permit, a Swiss work permit, an iPhone (damaged), a wristwatch, medical documents, and other personal items. He said the items written in pen on the inventory were returned to Sanyang at Mile 2 Prison, while the rest remained in police custody.
When shown the inventory document in court, Officer Gibba identified it by his handwriting and signature. Prosecutor Jobarteh tendered the document as evidence, which was admitted without objection from the defense.
He also told the court that during interrogation, Sanyang revealed he had been involved in a car accident in Switzerland and returned to The Gambia to participate in the GALA Movement. His written and voluntary statements were both recorded by investigators.
During cross-examination, Defense Counsel Bonda asked the witness to name members of the investigation panel. Gibba replied that it included police officers and a lawyer, but could not recall the lawyer’s name.
When asked whether the police had obtained any financial or transactional records confirming that Sanyang funded the burning of the APRC Bureau, the witness responded, “No, we don’t.”
The case was adjourned to 17th November 2025 at 11:00 a.m. for continuation.
