By Sainabou Sambou
Justice S.K. Jobarteh of the High Court on Friday granted the State permission to drop two murder charges against Sanna Manjang, a former member of ex-President Yahya Jammeh’s notorious “Junglers” death squad, and proceed on a Further Amended Information containing only two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.
The ruling came after heated legal arguments in a trial that has lasted nearly seven months. Manjang, who has remained in custody without bail since his arraignment, now faces lesser charges relating to incidents alleged to have occurred in March 2006.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions A.R. Dourgan, representing the State, informed the court that a Further Amended Information dated 15 July 2026 had been filed and served on the defense. Under the new indictment, Manjang is charged with assaulting Tamsir Jasseh and military officer Yaya M.S. Darboe, contrary to Section 228 of the Criminal Code. The assaults allegedly involved beating with sticks, pouring molten plastic, tying the victim in a sack and winching him up.
Defense counsel S.K. Jobe vigorously opposed the amendment, describing it as a “calculated attempt” by the prosecution to salvage a weak case. He argued that the State had already amended the indictment multiple times—first on 9 March 2026 increasing counts to six, then reducing them to four on 17 March—after witnesses had testified. Jobe contended that no formal application for leave to amend had been made and that proceeding at this late stage would cause substantial prejudice to his client, who intended to make a no-case submission on the murder charges.
Jobe relied on Section 218 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025, insisting amendments must not occasion injustice. He highlighted that Manjang’s prolonged detention was partly due to the gravity of the original murder allegations.
In response, Dourgan asserted the State’s constitutional authority under Sections 75 and 85 to amend charges in the interest of justice. She maintained the changes reflected the available evidence and caused no prejudice, as the defense could recall witnesses.
After considering submissions, Justice Jobarteh ruled in favor of the prosecution. The amended charges were read to Manjang, who pleaded not guilty. The prosecution immediately closed its case, prompting the defense to announce it would file a no-case submission citing constitutional and procedural protections.
The matter was adjourned to 28 July 2026 for hearing of the no-case application.
The case has drawn attention as one of several high-profile trials linked to alleged atrocities committed by Jammeh-era security operatives.
