Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang, a former member of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) based in Switzerland has been remanded at the Mile 2 Central Prison after his arrest and subsequent charge.

Mr. Sanyang, who is said to have flown into the country to meet with his newly wedded Gambian wife was arrested by the Members of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) at the Banjul International Airport while boarding a plane to return to Switzerland.

This comes after his interview with West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, in which he criticised President Adama Barrow’s government and made allegations against the Gambian Leader about electoral malpractice and rigging in 2021.

Mr. Sanyang also accused the Barrow government of killing two members of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) at Sukuta Jabang Traffic Lights.

The Police then pressed four charges against Mr. Sanyang, and on Thursday, August 5, 2025, Mr. Sanyang was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Touray of the Kanifing Magistrates Court.

The charges levelled against Mr. Sanyang are: Arson Contrary to Section 283 of the Criminal Offences Act. 2025. The Police alleged that Abdoulie Sanyang sometime in the year 2016 at Kanifing South in the Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia within the jurisdiction of the Court, willfully and unlawfully took part in the planning and setting on fire the National Bureau of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation Construction. Thereby committed an offence.

Seditious intention Contrary to Section 48(2)(8) punishable under Section 50(1)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. The Police alleged that  Abdoulle Sanyang on or about the 14th day af August, 2025 at West Coast Radio, in Kotu in the Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia, within the jurisdiction of the Court, with intent to bring into hatred, contempt or disaffection against the person of the President of The Republic of The Gambia, made comments at West Coast Radio Coffee Time Show that His Excellency the President was deeply involved in electoral malpractices in the 2021 Presidential elections, thereby committed offence.

Incitement to Violence Contrary to Section 58(1)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. The Police further alleged that Abdoulle Sanyang on or about the 14th day of August, 2025 at West Coast Radio, Kotu in the Kaniting Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia, within the jurisdiction, of the Court, Claimed On West Coast Radio Coffee Time Show, that he gave financial support to the “3 YEARS JOTNA MOVEMENT” to embark on an legal protest, requesting that His Excellency, the President step down from Office, thereby committed an offence

Offences Relating to Judicial Proceedings Contrary to section 99(1)(i) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025. In this charge, the Police alleged that Abdoulle Sanyang on or about the 14th day of August. 2025 at West Coast Radio in Kotu in the Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia within the jurisdiction of the Court, with intent to show disrespect to judicial proceedings, made comments on West Coast Radio Coffee Time Show describing the Court tearing the case of Ousainou Bojang as “clandestine Court” an act calculated to be disrespectful to the Court, thereby committed an offence.

Mr. Sanyang was represented by senior counsel Lamin J. Darboe, while the Inspector General of Police was represented by Commissioner Sanneh, ASP A. Touray, and ACP M. Camara.

When the case was mentioned, ACP M. Camara told the court that one of the four charges against Mr. Sanyang is punishable by life imprisonment. Therefore the Magistrate Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear and determine cases that attract life imprisonment.

ACP Camara then invoked section 72 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the case to be transferred to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court of the Gambia.

ACP Camara informed the court that since one of the charges against Mr. Sanyang is a capital offence and not bailable, under section 125, he then applied for the accused to be remanded.

“We are applying for the remanding of the accused in prison pending the trial at the High Court under section 228 of the Criminal Procedure Act,” he applied.

Commissioner Sanneh, one of the Prosecutors representing the IGP also said a similar sentiment requesting a transfer of the case to the High Court of the Gambia.

The Lawyer representing Abodulie Sanyang, did not object to the request of the Police Prosecution.

Principal Magistrate Touray then delivered his judgement by granting the application of the prosecution and ordered that Aboudlie Sanyang be remanded at the Mile 2 Central Prison.

Mr. Sanyang, was then escorted by the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) Officers to the Mile 2 Central Prison pending the hearing of the matter at the High Court.