By Isatou Sarr
A police investigator on Monday testified before the High Court in Banjul as the murder trial of former Jungler Sanna Manjang resumed.
It will be recalled that Manjang is standing charges of killing Kajali Jammeh, also known as “Le Cock,” and Samba Wurry Jallow sometime around 2006.
The case was heard by Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh, with State Counsel E.R. Dougan representing the prosecution and Counsel S.K. Jobe appearing for the defense.
Appearing as the first prosecution witness, Jali Senghore, a police officer attached to Brikama Police Station, told the court that he served on a joint investigative panel comprising of officers from The Gambia Police Force, The Gambia Armed Forces and the State Intelligence Services.
According to the witness, the panel was established in November 2025 to investigate allegations against the accused dating back to 2006.
Senghore testified that the panel conducted interviews and site visits as part of the investigation. He said eyewitness Ensa Keita was invited for questioning and later guided investigators to Kanilai, where a detention site was identified and a demonstration of how the alleged killings occurred was carried out. Photographs were also taken during the visit.
Senghore stated that the accused denied the allegations but was subsequently detained at Mile 2 Prison. He added that investigation reports were compiled and submitted, leading to formal charges against Manjang.
During proceedings, the prosecution asked the witness to recount statements allegedly made by Keita. Defense counsel objected, arguing that the witness could not testify on behalf of a person not before the court. Justice Jobarteh overruled the objection and allowed the testimony.
Senghore told the court that Keita alleged that Samba Wurry Jallow was stabbed while Kajali Jammeh was beheaded, and that the accused was seen washing blood from his hands.
Two statements attributed to the accused — a voluntary statement and a cautionary statement — were tendered and admitted into evidence without objection.
Under cross-examination, Senghore maintained that he recorded only one set of statements and confirmed that the accused was not present during the Kanilai visit. He acknowledged that investigators did not recover the victims’ bodies, trace their families, or identify burial sites.
The defense challenged the credibility of the investigation and questioned the existence of the alleged victims.
The case was adjourned to 24 February 2026 for continuation of hearing.