Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court in Banjul has fixed February 10, 2026, for the delivery of judgment in the case of The State versus Abdoulie Sanyang, bringing the long-running legal battle against the former soldier into its final phase.
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh scheduled the date after both the prosecution and the defense submitted their final briefs, effectively closing arguments in a case that centers on charges of arson and judicial interference.
The prosecution, led by State Counsel S.L. Jobarteh, argued that the State had successfully discharged its burden of proof, relying heavily on what it described as unequivocal admissions made by the accused.
Counsel Jobarteh directed the court to the accused’s cautionary statement, a video interview in which Sanyang allegedly discussed his role, and an audio recording of the same interview aired by West Coast Radio.
“My lord, in all these exhibits, the accused person made very clear admissions to the offences with which he is charged,” Jobarteh told the court, stressing that under Gambian law, admitted facts do not require further proof.
A central plank of the prosecution’s argument was the distinction between physically carrying out a criminal act and facilitating it.
Counsel Jobarteh submitted that Sanyang’s own words in the video and audio recordings demonstrated that he contributed to and financed the burning of the APRC Bureau in 2016, even if he was not physically present at the scene.
“Our submission is that you do not need to be on the ground to commit a crime,” Jobarteh said. “’Contributed’ would also indicate that he has financed the burning down of the APRC Bureau.”
The prosecution also relied on the testimony of Omar Touray, an eyewitness who was on duty on the night of the fire. Touray testified that the building was destroyed by individuals believed to be members of the security forces.
On the charge of judicial interference against Abdoulie Sanyang, the State maintained that public remarks made by Sanyang concerning the ongoing court cases of Ousainou Bojang amounted to an attempt to undermine the judiciary.
According to the prosecution, the statements were intended to show “disrespect to our courts” and to misrepresent the administration of justice.
For the defense, Counsel F. Bundi moved to adopt the defense’s final written brief, arguing that the State had failed to meet the legal threshold required to secure a conviction.
Rather than engaging in a detailed oral rebuttal of the prosecution’s arguments, Counsel Bundi relied on the submissions already before the court and made a firm closing request.
“We ask the Honorable Court to acquit and discharge the accused person,” he said.
With both sides having closed their cases, attention now turns to Justice Jaiteh, who is expected to assess the prosecution’s reliance on Sanyang’s alleged public admissions against the defence’s call for acquittal.
The matter has been adjourned to February 10, 2026, when Justice Jaiteh will deliver his judgment at 10:00 a.m., a decision that will determine Abdoulie Sanyang’s fate on the charges before the court.
