The Gambian government has filed criminal charges against seven individuals including a former minister over alleged unlawful dealings in land forfeited to the state following the removal of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Those facing the charges included former Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Sheriff Abba Sanyang.
The case before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul, relates to a parcel of land situated in Kassa Kunda and Kansa Hande, which was forfeited to the state as part of efforts to recover assets acquired during Jammeh’s 22-year rule.
The accused persons are: Sheriff Abba Sanyang, Cherno Serending Sabally, Kalilu Sanyang, Bakary Gomez, Bakary Sanneh, Lamin Sabally and Malang Jarju. The indictment was filed by the Attorney General on behalf of the state.
Sanyang faces two counts. He is charged with abuse of office, contrary to Section 90(1) of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that between July and December 2022, while serving as minister, he approved the retention of 40 percent of the forfeited land for purported customary landowners.
He is also charged with giving false information to a public servant, contrary to Section 114(a) of the Criminal Code. Prosecutors allege that in December 2022 in Banjul, he provided information to the Alkalo of Kassa Kunda indicating that 40 percent of the land had been approved for retention, which the state alleges was false.
The six other accused persons face multiple counts of criminal trespass, contrary to Section 285A of the Criminal Code. According to the indictment, they allegedly entered the forfeited property in 2022 in Kassa Kunda, Kombo Central District, West Coast Region, with intent to sell portions of it.
They are further charged with obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 288 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that they represented that the Kassa Kunda Village Development Committee owned the land and subsequently sold parcels to private companies.
The amounts cited in the indictment include GMD 12 million from Himfirm3 Company Ltd, GMD 800,000 from Soninkara Real Estate, and GMD 300,000 from Buildmatic Construction Ltd.
The matter was mentioned in court on 24 February 2026. Neither the state nor the accused persons were present, and the case was adjourned to 10 March 2026 at 11:00 a.m. for further proceedings.
