Former Jungler officer Sanna Manjang arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye today charged with three counts of murder from incidents that occurred between 2005 and 2006.
When the case was called saw a strong presence from the prosecution, led by Commissioner Sanneh, who appeared alongside DPC Jarju, ACP Manga, ASP Y. Colley, and ASP F. Kujabi for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) while Sanna Manjang under unrepresented.
Magistrate Sallah Mbye first asked Sanna Manjang (accused) what language he understood, Sanna Manjang responded with a defiant, “I will not be speaking to the court.”
Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye clarified that she was only inquiring about his language comprehension, not demanding a statement on the case. Manjang then replied that he understood English.
The charge sheet leveled three counts of Murder against Sanna Manjang, all contrary to section 187 of the Criminal Code:
Count One murder of Dayda Hydara. Police prosecution charged sheet alleges that Sanna Manjang, in 2005 at Kanifing, with malice aforethought, caused the death of Dayda Hydara by shooting him with a gun.
Count Two murder of Ndongo Mboob. The prosecution accuses Manjang of committing murder in 2006 at Kanilai causing the death of Ndongo Mboob by shooting him with a gun.
Count Three murder of Haruna Jammeh. It is further alleged that Manjang, sometime in 2006 at Kanilai with malice aforethought, caused the death of Haruna Jammeh by shooting him with a gun.
Leading the prosecution, Commissioner Sanneh immediately informed the court that the offences Sanna Manjang is charged with are capital offences of murder, which fall outside the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court.
Commissioner Sanneh then made an application under Section 72 of the new Criminal Offense Act to transfer the case to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court. He further relied on Section 72A and Legal Notice Number 3 of 2009 to request that the accused be kept under custody pending his appearance at the superior court.
Commissioner Sanneh also sought an order for Sanna Manjang to be remanded at the Mile 2 Central Prison pending the hearing at the special Criminal Division of the High Court
In her ruling, Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye acknowledged that based on the three murder charges, the Magistrates’ Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye granted the prosecution’s application in full, stating
“Going by the charge sheet of three murder charges, the Magistrates Courts lack the Jurisdiction.” Principal Magistrate stated
In her determination, Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye transferred the case to the Special Divisions High Court, and ordered Sanna Manjang to be remanded to the Mile 2 Central Prison pending the hearing of the case before the High Court.
Sanna Manjang was escorted by heavy armed Military Police (PM) outside the court premises indicating the high-profile and sensitive nature of his arraignment
