An agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has disclosed that financial records from Western Union played a crucial role in locating Michael Sang Correa, a former member of Gambia’s notorious paramilitary group, the Junglers. He is currently on trial in the United States for alleged acts of torture associated with the 2006 failed coup attempt against former President Yahya Jammeh. On Wednesday, during the third day of Correa’s trial in Denver, Colorado, Mathew Gifford, a special agent and national program manager with HSI, provided testimony. Gifford stated that his team first attempted to find Correa via MoneyGram but were unsuccessful. They then switched to Western Union, where they found that the accused had been sending money to his family in Gambia using information from a diplomatic passport. Gifford, stationed in Dakar, Senegal for five years, travelled to Banjul to gather testimonies from victims. “We were aware that Correa was in the U.S., but we were unable to determine his exact location,” he stated in court. The significant advancement occurred when they monitored his remittance activity. Correa, 45, is charged with six counts of torture, with the fifth count being dismissed at the beginning of the trial on April 7, 2025. He faces allegations of being involved in the mistreatment of detainees believed to be connected to the 2006 coup attempt.
Yaya Darboe, a lieutenant colonel in the Gambia Armed Forces, stated that Correa was previously regarded as a disciplined and respectful soldier. After his arrest in 2006, Darboe encountered a contrasting aspect of Correa. He recounted to the court how Junglers brought him to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), where he endured torture despite his insistence of having no connection to the coup. “They are awful individuals, with Sang Correa being the most aggressive.” “I was astonished to see that it was the same Correa I once held in high regard,” Darboe remarked. He remembered that only two Junglers—Bora Colley and Malick Jatta—were not involved in his torture. Darboe confirmed that Captain Pierre Mendy, one of the accused coup plotters, endured severe beatings by the Junglers, resulting in him losing consciousness. “Water was poured on him—that was when he regained consciousness,” Darboe added.
Sainey Bayo, a senior military officer, provided testimony regarding his detention for several weeks in 2006 due to suspicions of involvement in the coup. He stated that he journeyed to the U.S. in pursuit of justice. During cross-examination, Bayo characterised Jammeh as a ruler rather than a dictator, yet acknowledged that disobeying orders during Jammeh’s regime could result in arrest or torture. “Should you defy orders, the Junglers will seek you out,” he stated. Bayo reminisced about training the former Jungler Tumbul Tamba, noting that Tamba ultimately chose a different direction.
The court also heard from Demba Dem, a former National Assembly member for Niani district, who recounted the abuses he endured following his conflict with Jammeh’s regime. Dem, a former member of the APRC, stated that he was arrested following his opposition to a harsh media bill and his resignation from the committee. He faced detention on two occasions and ultimately found himself imprisoned at Mile 2. After completing parliamentary duties in the provinces in March 2006, Dem was arrested once more, transported to Mile 2, and subsequently delivered to the Junglers, including Correa. “These Junglers began to mistreat me in the car while we were heading to the NIA,” Dem stated. “Upon my arrival at the NIA, I encountered a panel of 30 interrogators.” “If my answers were unsatisfactory, I was sent downstairs to face punishment, only to be returned to continue afterward.”
Dem described an incident where Jungler Alagie Martin struck him, and Correa covered his head with a plastic bag, doused him with cold water and let melted plastic fall onto his skin. He further stated that Baba Sawo commanded his electrocution while his legs were suspended by chains. Dem claims they were compelled to sign false statements, and when he declined, Ismaila Jammeh stabbed him with a knife. He also observed Malick Jatta striking Captain Mendy with a pistol, resulting in severe injuries. Dem was ultimately charged with treason and conspiracy to commit treason; however, after more than a year in detention, he was acquitted by the high court.
Correa’s trial is ongoing, with additional witnesses anticipated to take the stand in the upcoming days as prosecutors seek to establish his direct involvement in the torture of detainees during the Jammeh era.
