In the criminal trial of former military officer Sanna Manjang, the State has filed a “Further Amended Information” that removes all conspiracy charges. The move follows the ruling of Justice Jobarteh, which directed the prosecution to identify alleged co-conspirators or provide particulars regarding the “others” with whom Sanna Manjang allegedly conspired.
The updated indictment now focuses on four counts two of murder and two of assault causing actual bodily harm removing the conspiracy.
The decision to drop the conspiracy charges follows a successful argument by defence counsel Sheriff K. Jobe who argued that the state should identify his co-conspirators for a proper defence. Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh agreed with the defence that the original charges which alleged Sanna Manjang “conspired with others” as a member of the “Junglers” were too vague to allow for a proper defence.
Justice Jobarteh ordered the State to further amend the particulars to disclose the identities of the co-conspirators. The State, represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) E.R. Dougan, has opted to withdraw those counts entirely, focusing the case on the direct acts of violence alleged against the Sanna Manjang.
The further amended information now charges Sanna Manjang with four counts.
Count 1: Murder of Kajali Jammeh
The State alleges that in 2006, at Kanilai in the West Coast Region, Manjang acted with “malice aforethought” to unlawfully cause the death of Kajali Jammeh (alias “Le Cock”) by cutting his neck with a knife.
Count 2: Murder of Samba Wurry
In a similar charge, the State alleges that during the same year at Kanilai, Manjang unlawfully caused the death of Samba Wurry by stabbing him in the chest with a knife.
Count 3: Assault on Tamsir Jasseh Sanna Manjang is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm for allegedly beating and kicking Tamsir Jasseh in March 2006 at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) premises.
Count 4: Torture Allegations on Yaya M.S. Darboe. The final count details a harrowing assault against military officer Yaya M.S. Darboe in March 2006. The State alleges that Sanna Manjang beat the victim with sticks and melted hot plastic onto his body.
and tied him in a sack and winched him up.
The trial is expected to proceed with the formal plea-taking on the four remaining counts. By removing the conspiracy charges.
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State Drops Conspiracy Charges in Case Against Former Officer Sanna Manjang
The prosecution in the criminal case against former military officer Sanna Manjang has withdrawn all conspiracy charges, narrowing its case to four counts related to alleged acts of violence, according to a further amended indictment filed in court.
The revision follows a ruling by Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh, who directed the state to provide specific details about the alleged co-conspirators referenced in earlier charges or clarify the identities of the unnamed “others” said to have been involved. Rather than amend the charges to include those particulars, prosecutors elected to remove the conspiracy counts altogether.
The updated indictment now includes two counts of murder and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.
The decision comes after defence counsel Sheriff K. Jobe successfully argued that the original conspiracy allegations which claimed that Sanna Manjang acted “with others” as part of the group known as the “Junglers” were too vague to allow for an adequate defence. Justice Jobarteh agreed, ruling that the lack of specificity undermined the accused’s ability to respond meaningfully to the charges.
The state, represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Dougan, has instead refocused its case on the defendant’s alleged direct involvement in the offences.
According to the amended filing, the charges are as follows:
Count 1: Murder of Kajali Jammeh
Prosecutors allege that in 2006, in Kanilai in the West Coast Region, Sanna Manjang unlawfully caused the death of Kajali Jammeh, also known as “Le Cock,” by cutting his neck with a knife, acting with malice aforethought.
Count 2: Murder of Samba Wurry
In a separate count from the same year and location, the state alleges that Sanna Manjang fatally stabbed Samba Wurry in the chest.
Count 3: Assault on Tamsir Jasseh
Sanna Manjang is accused of assault causing actual bodily harm in March 2006 at the National Intelligence Agency premises, where he allegedly beat and kicked Tamsir Jasseh.
Count 4: Assault on Yaya M.S. Darboe
The final count alleges a series of acts against military officer Yaya M.S. Darboe, including beatings with sticks, the application of melted plastic to his body, and being tied in a sack and suspended.
The case is expected to proceed with formal plea-taking on the remaining counts. The removal of the conspiracy charges narrows the scope of the prosecution’s case, focusing on the defendant’s alleged individual conduct.
