Dozen of Gambian soldiers accused of a coup plot to overthrow the country’s new President Adama Barrow are charged with nine counts including treason at a military court martial at Yundum Barracks.
The charges are treason, incitement of mutiny, failure to report mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny, endeavor to persuade members of the Armed Forces to take part in mutiny, negligence or willful interference with lawful custody, connivance of desertion, connivance of desertion and interference with lawful custody. All the accused soldiers pleaded not guilty.
The punishment for treason in The Gambia is life imprisonment or death.
According to the particulars of offense Captain Yahya Jammeh, Lieutenant Abdoulie Jarjue, Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh, Sergeant Babucarr Sanneh, Sergeant Malick Bojang, Corporal Sulayman Sanyang, Corporal Lamin Gibba, Lance Corporal Abba Badjie, Lance Corporal Alieu Sanneh, Private Mbemba Camara and others who are currently at large on or around the month of July 2017 at AU Villa in Brufut allegedly plan to overthrow the democratically elected government of The Gambia by unlawful means. They were allegedly present at meetings where they invited certain members of the Armed Forces to take part in an intended mutiny. They are further accused of concealing mutiny.
“You agreed within yourselves to overthrow the democratically elected government of The Gambia by forceful means and thereby committed an offense,” Court Clerk Sergeant Yaffa said.
“You belonged to a secret WhatsApp chat group where you endeavor to persuade members of the Armed Forces to participate in an intended mutiny and thereby committed an offense,” he added.
Lance Corporal Sambujang Bojang and Lance Corporal Ebrima Jallow allegedly in the month of July 2017 at Fajara Barracks aided Sergeant Yusupha Jatta to escape from lawful custody.
Corporal Lamin Gibba of Farafenni Barracks is charged with conniving with the desertion or intended desertion of Corporal Musa Bojang from the Armed Forces without a reasonable excuse.
It is said that Lance Corporal Sambujang Bojang in the month of July 2017 at Fajara Barracks knowing that Sergeant Yusupha Jatta was under custody, provided him with clothing and other items hidden in a plastic bag to facilitate his escape.
They all pleaded not guilty.
The Senior State Counsel A. M. Yusuf said the accused soldiers are charged with serious offenses of treason and mutiny plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government, arrest some cabinet ministers and senior military commanders.
“We have strong evidence to prove our case beyond reasonable doubt,” State Counsel Yusuf said.
Yusuf urged the court adjourned the case to call the prosecution witness to testify tomorrow. The lead defense lawyer Sheriff K. Jobe did not made any objections but made a bail application for the eighth and ninth accused soldiers saying the charges are bailable offense. The state counsel made an objection to the bail application.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the matter till Tuesday, November 28 for the first prosecution to testify and to also make a ruling on the bail application.
