Africa-Press – Gambia. A former member of the Gambia Armed Forces, Abdoulie Sanyang, broke down in tears on Monday while testifying in his ongoing trial before the High Court in Banjul.
Sanyang is charged with arson and interference with judicial proceedings. The case is being heard by Justice Jaiteh. The state is represented by S.L. Jobarteh, while Sanyang is represented by counsels F. Bondi and J. Jeng.
Taking the stand, Sanyang opted to testify in English and swore an oath to tell the truth. Led in examination-in-chief by Counsel Bondi, Sanyang told the court he currently lives in Switzerland but had been staying in Brusubi before his arrest. He has remained in custody at Mile 2 Prison since August 17.
He testified that he was apprehended at Banjul International Airport while preparing to return to Switzerland for a scheduled medical appointment on August 19. Sanyang said he had recently granted an interview to West Coast Radio and believes this may have prompted his arrest.
According to his testimony, officers approached him at the airport and informed him that he was under arrest. After roughly two hours, he was taken to Brusubi Police Station for questioning by an officer identified only as Keita, where he spent the night.
He further told the court that the following day, Pa Alieu Jawara transported him to the Police Headquarters in Banjul, where a statement was taken from him without the presence of an independent witness. He remained detained there for nearly a week.
Sanyang testified that his health deteriorated while being held at the Banjul headquarters, where he slept on a mat, and that he was denied access to legal counsel until his eventual transfer to Mile 2 Prison.
“I was seriously interrogated with many questions. I told them I did not know what I had done,” he said.
Abdoulie Sanyang told the High Court that a nine-member panel—which included Pa Alieu Jawara and several of his former military colleagues—subjected him to extensive questioning over a radio interview he granted to journalist Peter Gomez.
He testified that the panel pressed him on whether he harbored a hidden agenda or had financially supported any activities, allegations he firmly denied.
“They never brought any paper or identified anyone to whom I allegedly sent money,” he said.
Visibly emotional, Sanyang said he felt deeply let down by the accusations. “I have faced difficulties for the past 23 years fighting the former regime. I don’t think I should pay such a price. I am disappointed to be asked about things I know nothing about.”
Sanyang also disclosed that he was previously diagnosed with depression while living in Switzerland and later underwent a psychiatric evaluation in The Gambia. He said he continues to struggle with sleep problems and broke down in tears as he described his condition.
“As someone who served the country, I will not do anything bad for the country,” he said, emotionally tears rolling.
He told the court that he was not in The Gambia in 2016 and only returned to the country in 2018. Responding to video evidence tendered by the prosecution, Abdoulie Sanyang said his remarks had been misinterpreted or misquoted. He firmly denied ever sending money to anyone to burn the APRC bureau.
Sanyang stressed that, during the interview referenced in court, he was explaining that Gambians collectively viewed the burning of the bureau as part of their political struggle against the former regime. He maintained that he neither participated in nor financed the incident.
“I mean, we Gambians burned the bureau and not as individuals. I was misquoted about the interview,” he testified.
When questioned about his description of the court as “clandestine,” Abdoulie Sanyang clarified that his remark referred to the evidence presented, not the court itself.
“I was just explaining the evidence before the court when I used the word ‘clandestine’, as most of the evidence brought before the court was thrown out,” he added.
Under cross-examination by State Counsel S.L. Jobarteh, Sanyang was asked whether he stood by his comments to journalist Peter Gomez. He responded that the charges against him stemmed from misinterpretations of his statements.
“I only referenced the burning of the APRC bureau. Yes, the building was indeed burnt down in 2016, and I saw it in the media. But I never said I took part in it,” he told the court.
He denied allegations that he orchestrated the burning of the bureau, taking the Quran to affirm his statement: “I have never mobilized anyone, nor financed any such action. What I meant is that the change in 2016 was carried out by Gambians. I was not in the country at that time.”
The prosecution noted that his testimony was submitted without objection and in the presence of an independent witness.
Abdoulie Sanyang disagreed, insisting the police had wrongly implicated him. “That is not my statement. The police wrote their own version. They can write anything they want,” he said.
Abdoulie Sanyang, a former soldier, told the High Court in Banjul that he had no involvement in the burning of the APRC bureau, countering allegations suggested in police records.
He acknowledged that some believed voter cards belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh were stored at the bureau, but he denied any connection to the incident.
During the proceedings, the court played video footage of his interview with journalist Peter Gomez, which Sanyang confirmed featured him. He insisted, however, that he had been misquoted. Even after the footage was replayed, showing statements that appeared to admit involvement, Sanyang maintained: “I was never part of the burning of the APRC bureau. Maybe it was misunderstood, but I meant that the change in 2016 was brought about by Gambians. I never financed it, nor participated in it.”
Sanyang was also questioned by Counsel S.L. Jobarteh about his previous remarks concerning the judiciary. He clarified that his comments were intended to criticize the handling of investigations, not the courts themselves.
“I was referring to how material evidence was brought before the judge. Most of the evidence in this case was thrown out,” he explained.
When questioned about whether he had the authority to assess the evidence the prosecution should present, he clarified: “I was just expressing myself as a citizen, not dictating what goes on in court.”
The prosecution pressed him on statements suggesting the international community had already proven the case and was waiting for President Adama Barrow’s strategy. Sanyang denied implying executive interference in the judiciary.
“I did not say that. I only meant that as head of state, he is part of the process. I was speaking as a citizen,” he said.
He rejected claims that his comments discredited the court or suggested executive control, insisting: “As a citizen and former security officer, I was only expressing concern, nothing more.”
He admitted using the word “clandestine” to describe how evidence was handled, but clarified: “I was not referring to the court itself, but to the evidence brought before it.”
He also confirmed making comments that the statements by the National Security Adviser and government spokesperson did not align with the evidence in the Ousainou Bojang case.
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