Africa-Press – Gambia. Suspected former member of ex-President Yahya Jammeh’s paramilitary unit known as the “Junglers,” Sanna Manjang, appeared in court on Wednesday to face three murder charges connected to incidents that occurred nearly two decades ago. After a brief proceeding before Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye, the case was forwarded to the High Court on the grounds that the lower court lacked jurisdiction.
Mr. Manjang, a figure repeatedly named in the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) hearings, appeared in court without legal representation. The prosecution was led by Commissioner Sanneh, who was joined by senior police officers, including ACP Manga, DPC Jarju, ASP Y. Colley and F. Kujabi on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
When proceedings began, Magistrate Mbye asked the defendant which language he understood. Mr. Manjang responded curtly, “I will not be speaking to the court.” The magistrate clarified that she was asking only about language comprehension. He then stated that he understood English.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors accuse Mr. Manjang of participating in the killings of journalist Deyda Hydara in 2005 and Ndongo Mboob and Haruna Jammeh in 2006. All three charges fall under Section 187 of the Criminal Code, which defines murder.
In the first count, investigators allege that Mr. Manjang, “with malice aforethought,” shot and killed Mr. Hydara in Kanifing in 2005. The second and third counts accuse him of fatally shooting Mr. Mboob and Mr. Jammeh in separate incidents in Kanilai in 2006.
Commissioner Sanneh told the court that the charges constitute capital offenses and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court. He applied under Section 72 of the Criminal Offenses Act for the case to be transferred to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court, relying further on Section 72A and Legal Notice No. 3 of 2009 to request that the accused be held in custody until his next appearance.
The prosecution also sought an order for Mr. Manjang to be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison.
Magistrate Mbye granted the application in full, noting that the seriousness of the charges required referral to a higher court. “Going by the charge sheet of three murder charges, the magistrates’ courts lack the jurisdiction,” she said.
Mr. Manjang was ordered remanded to Mile 2, and the matter was formally transferred to the High Court’s Special Criminal Division.
As he was escorted from the courthouse, heavily armed military police surrounded him—a show of security underscoring the sensitivity and high-profile nature of the case.
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