By Sainabou Sambou
Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh of the High Court in Banjul has refused a bail application for former Jungler operative Sanna Manjang and ordered the State to file a formal bill of indictment by January 12, 2026. The court further set January 15, 2026, as Manjang’s arraignment date.
Manjang, accused of involvement in extrajudicial killings as a key member of the notorious Junglers death squad, faces charges including the 2004 assassination of journalist Deyda Hydara and the 2006 murders of Ndongo Mboob and Haruna Jammeh. Arrested in Senegal’s Casamance region on November 29 and handed over to Gambian authorities on December 2, his case was transferred from the Magistrates’ Court to the High Court due to the capital nature of the offences.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, 11 December 2025, before Justice Jobarteh, with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) A.M. Yusuf, alongside M. Jammeh and A. Badjie, representing the State. Counsel S.K. Jobe appeared for the accused.
Defence Cites Restricted Access
Moving the application, Counsel Jobe argued that the defence had been unable to adequately prepare because they were repeatedly denied access to their client at Mile 2 Prison. He said he was told access required “authority from an advisor,” a condition he described as unlawful.
“I do not know what authority an advisor has to demand before a lawyer sees an accused person,” Jobe argued. “A lawyer should not need permission from anyone else to visit his client.”
He added that Manjang’s family members were also denied access, which he said infringed on the accused’s fundamental rights. Jobe urged the court to direct the Director General of Prisons to ensure unrestricted access for both counsel and family.
State Opposes Bail
The DPP opposed the application, reminding the court that Manjang faces a murder charge—an offence not ordinarily bailable under Gambian law. He noted that although the case was transferred from a lower court, the charges remain valid until replaced by an indictment.
“Before the court proceeds, it must consider that the accused is charged with murder, and murder is not bailable,” Yusuf submitted. He also stated that concerns about prison access do not constitute legal grounds for bail.
Court’s Ruling
In reply, Jobe insisted that only the High Court could restrict access to legal counsel. But Justice Jobarteh held that the nature of the charges weighed heavily against granting bail.
Referencing High Court Practice Direction No. 1 of 2022, the judge noted that cases transferred from magistrates’ courts must be mentioned within seven days and timelines set for filing indictments—a requirement the court had satisfied.
“I do not see the rights of the Accused being infringed at this stage,” she said, adding that his detention was lawful and his case had been mentioned within a reasonable time.
While acknowledging that bail may be granted in capital offences under the Criminal Procedure Act 2025, the judge found that the defence had not satisfied the legal conditions necessary for such consideration.
Justice Jobarteh therefore denied the application but issued a directive to the Director General of Prisons to ensure Counsel Jobe is granted access to Manjang pending arraignment.
The State has until January 12, 2026, to file the indictment. The case is adjourned to January 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. for plea taking.
