By: Isatou Sarr
A former member of The Gambia’s security unit known as the “Junglers,” Sanna Manjang, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, conspiracy and assault, as his trial continues before the High Court.
Manjang is accused of two counts of murder allegedly committed in 2006 in Kanilai, where he is alleged to have killed Kajali Jammeh, also known as “Le Cock,” and Samba Wurry in separate incidents.
The prosecution claims the killings were carried out with knives and were executed with malice aforethought.
He is also charged with conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour and assault causing actual bodily harm in relation to the alleged torture of former senior police officer Tamsir Jassey at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other locations in Banjul.
When the charges were read in court, Manjang denied all counts.
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when Tamsir Jassey, the third prosecution witness, testified about his alleged arrest and torture in March 2006.
Sworn on the Holy Quran, Jassey told the court that he was arrested at his residence in Kotu by armed men, including the accused, and first taken to Mile 2 Prison before being transferred to the NIA headquarters in Banjul.
He said he recognised Manjang among those who took part in his arrest and detention, and named several other individuals he claimed were involved, although he said he could not recall all of them.
Jassey further told the court that he was later taken before an interrogation panel at the NIA over an alleged foiled coup plot linked to Ndure Cham.
He admitted telling investigators that he assisted Cham to leave the country but denied any deeper involvement.
The witness said he initially refused to write a statement without legal representation but later complied after hearing screams from other detainees, which he said pressured him into cooperating.
He also alleged that the statement presented to him contained additions he did not make.
Jassey further described multiple alleged torture incidents, including beatings, suffocation with a plastic bag and threats involving a firearm. He claimed Manjang was among those who restrained him during the alleged abuse.
He further alleged that he was denied medical treatment on the instructions of a senior officer.
During cross-examination, defence counsel S.K. Jobe challenged parts of his testimony, including the timing of his statement and whether the accused was in custody at the time of the alleged incidents.
Jassey maintained that he gave a statement but could not confirm the status of the case at that time.
He also told the court that although he was not tortured by members of the interrogation panel, one panel member objected to his treatment and was subsequently arrested.
The defence further argued that Manjang was stationed in Kanilai at the time of the alleged offences, a claim Jassey said he could not verify.
At the close of his testimony, Jassey was discharged. The case was adjourned to April 24 for continuation with additional prosecution witnesses.