Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The State has filed a new amended bill of indictment against former hit squad “Junglers” member Sanna Manjang before Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh, expanding the charges against him to six counts linked to alleged extrajudicial killings and acts of torture during the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh.
The amended indictment, filed by the Attorney General’s Office, outlines a series of alleged crimes said to have been committed in 2006 while Manjang served as a member of the feared paramilitary unit known as the Junglers, which operated under the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Under the revised charges, Manjang faces two counts of murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.
According to the first count, Manjang is accused of unlawfully causing the death of Kajali Jammeh, also known as “Le Cock,” in 2006 at Kanilai by cutting his neck with a knife, contrary to Section 187 of the Criminal Code.
In the second count, prosecutors allege that in the same year and location, Manjang caused the death of Samba Wurry by stabbing him in the chest with a knife.
The indictment also alleges that in March 2006 at the NIA headquarters, Manjang conspired with others to cause bodily harm to Tamsir Jasseh. In a related charge, he is accused of assaulting Jasseh by beating and kicking him, resulting in severe injuries.
Two additional counts relate to alleged acts committed against Yahya M.S. Darboe, a military officer who was arrested following the failed 2006 coup attempt led by Colonel Ndure Cham.
Prosecutors claim Manjang conspired with others at the NIA to cause bodily harm to Darboe and later assaulted him by beating him with sticks, pouring melted hot plastic on his body, and winching him up in a tied sack, causing serious injuries and bleeding.
The State has listed eight witnesses expected to testify during the trial.
Among them is Ensa Keita, who is expected to tell the court that while detained in Kanilai he saw Manjang bring in three individuals, including Kajali Jammeh and Samba Wurry. According to the prosecution, Keita will testify that he witnessed Manjang stab Wurry in the chest and later use a knife to kill Kajali Jammeh.
Tamsir Jasseh is also expected to testify that he was initially detained at Mile 2 Prison before being transferred to the NIA, where he was allegedly beaten by Manjang and others.
Yahya M.S. Darboe will reportedly tell the court that after his arrest following the 2006 coup attempt, he was repeatedly taken from Mile 2 Prison to the NIA, where he was severely beaten with sticks.
Another witness, Babou Janha, the former driver of Colonel Ndure Cham, is expected to testify that he was tortured at the NIA and later observed injuries on the bodies of Darboe and Jasseh while they were detained at Mile 2 Prison.
Lamin Fadera, a prison officer stationed at Mile 2 in 2006, will also testify that he saw Darboe and others being taken out of the prison at night and returning with visible injuries.
Investigating officer Jally M.J. Senghore will testify about directives he received to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings and human rights violations, including the process of interviewing witnesses and interrogating Manjang.
Police investigator SI Sowe is expected to inform the court that on January 8, 2026, he cautioned Manjang in English, but the accused exercised his right to remain silent, declined to provide information without a lawyer, and refused to sign any statements.
The final witness, crime scene investigator Mustapha Jammeh, will testify about identifying premises in Kanilai allegedly used as a detention centre, with his formal report to be presented as evidence.
With the amended indictment now before the High Court, Manjang faces six criminal counts ranging from murder to conspiracy and assault as the case proceeds.
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