One of the most feared figures of the Yahya Jammeh era, Sanna Manjang, is scheduled to appear before Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh at the Banjul High Court today, 15th January 2026, to be formally charged.
After being a fugitive for nearly nine years, his return to the High Court in Banjul follows his case transferred from the Magistrates’ Court, which lacks the jurisdiction to try capital offences, to the High Court for trial.
During his last appearance, the State was ordered by Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh to file a formal bill of indictment by 12th January, 2026.
The bill of indictment seen by this medium charged Sanna Manjang with two counts of murder under Section 187 of the Criminal Code.
1. The murder of Kajali Jammeh (alias “Le Cock”). The State alleges Manjang unlawfully caused Jammeh’s death by cutting his neck with a knife with malice aforethought.
2. The murder of Samba Wurry. The State alleges Manjang killed Wurry by stabbing him in the chest with a knife.
Tomorrow’s session will be a plea-taking hearing, where Manjang must respond “Guilty” or “Not Guilty” to the charges.
Sanna Manjang is an alleged prominent member of the “Junglers,” a hit squad under former President Yahya Jammeh. His fellow members of the unit described him during TRRC hearings as the “most feared” and “unusually aggressive” member of the squad, noted for his enthusiasm in carrying out executions.
He’s accused of engaging in many killings and torture, including the 2004 assassination of the veteran journalist and co-founder of The Point, Deyda Hydara, the killing of Ndongo Mboob, a businessman killed in 2006, the killing of Haruna Jammeh and the 2005 summary execution of 44 Ghanaian and other West African migrants, etc.
However, tomorrow’s hearing will focus on two murder offences held in Kanilai where the state has a direct eyewitness (Ensa Keita).
When the state was questioned about why two counts only, the State indicated that while they are starting with the two counts, they may consolidate the case or file supplementary charges as they continue to process extensive evidence from the TRRC files.
The state intended to call three witnesses and exhibits, among them Ensa Keita, an eyewitness and survivor, Jally M.I. Senghore, an investigating officer and S.I. Sowe, a Police officer involved in the investigation.
Essa Keita, a former labourer who was detained at Jammeh’s residence in Kanilai, testified before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), stating that the killing occurred near the prison cells in Kanilai. Ensa Keita testified that Sanna Manjang decapitated Kajali Jammeh with a knife or sword, telling him, “I am going to kill you, cut your throat and feed your body to the crocodiles.” According to Essa, Kajali’s head was placed in a plastic bag while the body was discarded in a crocodile pond.
