Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court on Tuesday viewed a video interview of former soldier Abdoulie Sanyang with journalist Peter Gomez on Coffee Time at West Coast Radio, in the ongoing trial linked to allegations that Sanyang participated in the burning of the APRC Bureau and interfered with judicial proceedings in the case of State vs. Ousainou Bojang.
The video was tendered during the testimony of Police Constable Paul A.F. Sambou, an Abuko resident and four-year police officer currently attached to the IT Unit.
Sambou told the court that he recognized the accused in the video and confirmed it was the same interview he had extracted for investigative purposes.
Constable Sambou said he was instructed by Commissioner Jawara to download the interview from YouTube, specifically from the Coffee Time channel. He explained that he downloaded the video using a police-issued laptop during working hours, transferred it to a flash drive, and handed it over to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU).
When asked if he would recognize the video when played in court, Sambou responded, “Yes,” confirming that the interview featured both Sanyang and Gomez. The prosecution then applied for the video to be played.
Defense Counsel Lamin J. Darboe raised no objection, and the one-hour recording began. However, the session was later adjourned to next Tuesday with the video only partially viewed.
Earlier in the hearing, two officers stationed at Banjul International Airport, Filijeh Dibba and Corporal Kemo Korteh, testified about the arrest of Sanyang.
Officer Dibba said he was instructed by his superior, Commissioner Ousman Mboge, to place Sanyang on the airport stop list and was later shown a short video interview of the accused, which he shared with his colleague Officer Jabou Sarr.
Both officers recognized Sanyang, noting that he was wearing the same shirt seen earlier that day at the airport.
Following the identification, Dibba, Sarr, and Korteh proceeded to verify Sanyang’s entry details at the Immigration Department, but officials could not find his name in the system. The officers then conducted a physical search of the terminal, VVIP lounge, and surrounding areas. After reporting back, Commissioner Mboge directed them to arrest Sanyang if located.
Corporal Korteh testified that he recognized Sanyang from social media and a photo shared by Commissioner Mboge. He also received information from an informant, Lama, who confirmed that Sanyang was at the airport intending to travel.
Acting on this, Korteh located the accused, called for support, identified himself as a police officer, and arrested him without incident.
Both officers confirmed that Sanyang cooperated fully during the arrest. His luggage and D1,000 airport fee receipt were retrieved, and he was later handed over to Interpol officers at the airport.
During cross-examination, Defense Counsel Darboe questioned whether Officer Dibba had typed statements for Corporal Korteh or Officer Sarr. Dibba denied doing so, and Korteh supported that position. Korteh also clarified that the arrest took place on Saturday, August 17, 2025, and that officers followed instructions to check with Turkish Airlines and Brussels Airlines, who referred them to immigration records.
The court noted that all parties had access to the video and that it had been properly authenticated before viewing.
The matter resumes next Tuesday before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, when the remainder of the interview will be screened and further evidence heard.
