By Alieu Jallow
Former Gambian soldier Abdoulie Sanyang has been formally charged with two criminal offences, arson and contempt of court, following remarks he made during a radio interview and an alleged act dating back to 2016.
The case, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul, saw Sanyang appear alongside his defence counsel, Lamin J. Darboe.
According to the charge sheet, the first count accuses Sanyang of “unlawfully and wilfully setting fire to a building known as the APRC Bureau” in Kanifing Municipality in 2016, contrary to Gambian criminal law.
Count Two relates to an alleged act of contempt. Prosecutors claim that on August 14, 2025, while appearing on West Coast Radio, Sanyang described the courts as “clandestine and controlled” during a discussion on the ongoing case The State v. Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang (Criminal Case No. HC/744/23/CR/148/A0). The prosecution says the comments were capable of “prejudicing the parties” and demonstrated “intentional disrespect toward the court.”
During the session, defence lawyer Lamin J. Darboe informed the court that he had filed an originating summons seeking bail for his client. The State did not object to the application but requested two days to review it before filing a response.
Justice Jaiteh adjourned the matter for plea taking on Tuesday, 7th October, at 10 a.m. The motion for bail is expected to be heard on Thursday, 9th October 2025, at 9 a.m.
Sanyang’s arrest followed an interception by airport security officers after his name appeared on a flight manifest, leading to his detention and subsequent handover to the Criminal Intelligence and Interpol Bureau (CIIB) for background screening.
By Alieu Jallow Former Gambian soldier Abdoulie Sanyang has been formally charged with two criminal offences, arson and contempt of court, following remarks he made during a radio interview and an alleged act dating back to 2016. The case, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul, saw Sanyang appear alongside The Fatu Network
