By Sainabou Sambou
The Gambian state has brought criminal charges against seven individuals, including former Minister of Lands Sheriff Abba Sanyang, accusing them of unlawfully dealing in land forfeited to the state following the ouster of ex-President Yahya Jammeh.
The case, now before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh at the High Court in Banjul, centers on a parcel of land in Kassa Kunda and Kansa Hande areas, which was seized by the state as part of efforts to recover assets improperly acquired during Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
The accused are Sheriff Abba Sanyang, Cherno Serending Sabally, Kalilu Sanyang, Bakary Gomez, Bakary Sanneh, Lamin Sabally, and Malang Jarju. The Attorney General filed the indictment on behalf of the state.
Sanyang, who served as Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, faces two serious counts. He is charged with abuse of office under Section 90(1) of the Criminal Code. Prosecutors allege that, while in office, he arbitrarily approved the retention of 40 percent of the forfeited land for so-called customary landowners between July and December 2022. The state claims this decision was improper and allowed portions of the property to remain outside full government control despite its forfeiture status.
He is also accused of giving false information to a public servant, contrary to Section 114(a) of the Criminal Code. The prosecution contends that in December 2022, in Banjul, Sanyang knowingly provided misleading information to the Alkalo (village head) of Kassa Kunda, stating that 40 percent of the land had been approved for retention—information the state says he knew to be false and likely to be relied upon.
The remaining six accused—Cherno Serending Sabally, Kalilu Sanyang, Bakary Gomez, Bakary Sanneh, Lamin Sabally, and Malang Jarju—face multiple counts of criminal trespass under Section 285A of the Criminal Code. According to the charges, in 2022, at Kassa Kunda in the Kombo Central District of the West Coast Region, they unlawfully entered the forfeited property previously owned by Jammeh with the intent to sell portions of it illegally.
Prosecutors further allege that the group targeted private companies, including Himfirm3 Company Ltd, Soninkara Real Estate, A & 1 Real Assets Management, and Buildmatic Construction Ltd.
In addition, the six are charged with obtaining money by false pretence under Section 288 of the Criminal Code. The state claims they misrepresented that the Kassa Kunda Village Development Committee owned the land, using this deception to sell parcels and collect substantial sums. The alleged amounts include GMD 12,000,000 from Himfirm3 Company Ltd, GMD 800,000 from Soninkara Real Estate, and GMD 300,000 from Buildmatic Construction Ltd. Prosecutors assert these actions were carried out with clear intent to defraud the buyers and the state.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address irregularities in the management of assets recovered from the Jammeh era, including lands seized through forfeiture processes.
The matter was mentioned in court on February 24, 2026, but neither state lawyers nor the accused appeared, leading to an adjournment. Proceedings are scheduled to resume on March 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., when the accused are expected to be present as the trial advances.
This development comes amid broader scrutiny of public land administration and the handling of former regime assets in The Gambia.
