By: Isatou Sarr
The murder trial of former Jungler operative Sanna Manjang continued before the Banjul High Court on Tuesday, with retired soldier Yaya M.S. Darboe testifying as the fourth prosecution witness before Justice S.K. Jobarteh.
Darboe, a former member of the Gambia Armed Forces with 31 years of service, told the court that he had known Manjang since 2002 when they attended the same military course.
He testified that he was arrested at his residence in Brusubi following the failed March 2006 coup attempt led by Colonel Ndure Cham and was initially taken to Mile 2 Prison.
According to Darboe, he was later removed from the prison by individuals he identified as members of the Junglers, including Bora Colley, Tumbul Tamba, Malick Jatta, Michael Correa, Nuha Badjie and others.
The witness alleged that he was threatened and assaulted during the operation.
“They told me, ‘small boy like you, you came to the army just yesterday and you want to become President. We will kill you and f*** your wives,’” Darboe testified, adding that Bora Colley later intervened.
Darboe further told the court that he was subsequently taken to the National Intelligence Agency headquarters, where he was allegedly handcuffed, beaten with sticks and palm leaves, and interrogated about alleged coup sponsors.
He claimed that Musa Jammeh instructed officers not to inflict visible injuries because he was expected to appear on national television the following day.
The witness told the court that the alleged torture caused him to lose sight in one eye.
Darboe also recounted another incident in which he alleged that Sanna Manjang threatened to kill and bury him while he was being assaulted. He claimed that a cement block was placed on his head and a plastic bag pulled over it, while those involved allegedly laughed and took photographs.
Under cross-examination, defence counsel S.K. Jobe suggested that Manjang was stationed in Kanilai on border patrol duties at the time and was not involved in coup investigations. Darboe responded that although he could not confirm official postings, he maintained that Manjang was among those who allegedly tortured him.
The witness also confirmed that he was convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment following the coup attempt, but was later pardoned and reinstated into the Armed Forces.
Darboe said he did not testify before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), though he had reportedly been contacted by three human rights commissions in Senegal.
When asked about a copy of his judgment, Darboe told the court that he had never received one and had not seen it to date. He added that he would attempt to obtain the relevant documents before the next hearing.
Justice S.K. Jobarteh adjourned the case to 19 May 2026 for continuation of cross-examination.
