By: Sainabou Sambou
The High Court in Banjul received a six-count indictment today against a former soldier. It alleged “Jungler” Sanna Manjang, escalating charges in a high-profile case tied to extrajudicial killings and torture during the Yahya Jammeh era.
Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh presided over the criminal proceedings. The amended bill of indictment was filed by the Attorney General’s Chambers, represented in court by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Dugan and B. Badjie. Manjang appeared represented by defense counsel Sheriff K. Jobe.
The prosecution leveled two counts of murder under Section 187 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10, Volume III, Laws of The Gambia 2009. In the first count, the state alleges that in 2006 at Kanilai, West Coast Region, Manjang, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Kajali Jammeh—known as “Le Cock”—by slashing his neck with a knife. The second count accuses him of fatally stabbing Samba Wurry in the chest with a knife at the same location and year.
Four additional counts involve conspiracy and assault causing actual bodily harm. Count three alleges that in March 2006, at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) premises and other locations in Banjul, Manjang conspired with others to commit a misdemeanor by agreeing to inflict bodily harm on Tamsir Jasseh, while serving in the Gambia Armed Forces as part of the notorious “Black Black” or “Junglers” group.
Count four claims Manjang assaulted Jasseh at the NIA by beating and kicking him, inflicting severe injuries. Counts five and six relate to Yahya M.S. Darboe, a military officer: conspiracy to cause him bodily harm, followed by an alleged assault involving beating with sticks, pouring melted hot plastic on his body, tying him in a sack, and winching him up—resulting in serious injuries, facial bleeding, and harm to his body and legs.
The prosecution submitted a summary of expected witness testimonies. Key witnesses include Ensa Keita, who claims to have seen Manjang stab Samba Wurry and kill Kajali Jammeh while detained in Kanilai; Tamsir Jasseh, detailing his alleged torture at the NIA after detention at Mile 2 Prison; and Yahya M.S. Darboe, linking his ordeal to the 2006 Ndure Cham coup attempt. Others listed are investigating officer Jally M.I. Senghore, cautioning officer SI Sowe, former officer Babou Janha, prison officer Lamin Fadera, and crime scene investigator Mustapha Jammeh.
Defense counsel Jobe requested an adjournment to review the new indictment and advise his client, a request unopposed by the state. Justice Jobarteh granted the adjournment and scheduled the matter for Friday at 10:00 a.m. for plea taking and testimony from the third prosecution witness.
