Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Lands Minister Sheriff Abba Sanyang told the High Court on Wednesday that the allocation of 40 percent of forfeited land to the Kassa Kunda community was legitimate and that he had no knowledge of any abuse of office in connection with the process.
Buba Sanyang, who was under cross-examination by defense counsel K. Sanyang, made the remarks as the trial continued before the High Court. The defense questioned him about a letter dated 27 December 2022, issued by the Department of Lands and Surveys and addressed to the Alkalo of Kassa Kunda.
The letter, which was admitted into evidence without objection from either party, communicated the return of 40 percent of forfeited lands to the community on behalf of the original landowners.
When asked by the defense whether the document contained any false information, Buba Sanyang was unequivocal; he described it as a genuine communication from the ministry and maintained that everything contained in it was accurate.
Pressed further on whether the former minister had abused his office or misled anyone regarding the allocation, the witness again stood firm.
“The allocation was genuinely made,” he told the court.
The witness also shed light on the broader context of the land redistribution exercise, confirming that Kassa Kunda was not the only community to have benefited from lands previously owned by former President Yahya Jammeh, which were subsequently forfeited to the state following his departure from power.
While he could not recall every community involved, he stated that the same procedure used in the Kassa Kunda case was consistently applied across other beneficiary communities.
Earlier in his testimony, Buba Sanyang offered important clarifications on the legal standing of Village Development Committees with respect to land ownership. He explained that such committees cannot own or sell land unless it has been formally entrusted to them by individuals, families, or the broader community.
He further disclosed that he was not aware of any authorization that would have permitted the Kassa Kunda Village Development Committee to sell land on behalf of the community, a point that could carry significant weight as the trial progresses.
Following the conclusion of cross-examination, the witness was formally discharged.
Sheriff Abba Sanyang, who served as Lands Minister under President Adama Barrow, faces charges related to his conduct in office. The trial continues.
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