By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia government has charged eight soldiers with treason and felony conspiracy to commit treason and the eight were charged with two counts of offence.
According to a press release issued on Friday, 6th January 2023 and signed by The Gambia Government Spokesperson and Presidential Diaspora Adviser, Ebrima G Sankareh which read “in the wake of the recently foiled coup plot to unseat the government of President Adama Barrow, The Gambia government this afternoon (Friday) charged eight soldiers of The Gambia Armed Forces with two counts of Treason and Felony Conspiracy to Commit Treason.”
The eight men who appeared before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court include Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera, Petty Officer Gibril Darboe, Corporal Ebrima Sanno, Captain Ebrima Baldeh, Second Lieutenant Omar M Colly, Corporal Bakary Njie, Corporal Bara Touray and Warrant Officer Class Two (2) Lamin Jadama who is at large.
The two counts are – Conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 368 of the Criminal Code CAP 10:01 Volume III Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009. And count 2
Treason contrary to Section 35 (1) of the Criminal Code CAP 10:01 Volume III Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009.
“All with the exception of Warrant Officer Class Two Lamin Jadama are now remanded at the Mile Two State Central Prisons. This brings the total number of remanded coup plotters to ten (10). Earlier this week, two civilians, Mustapha Jabbi and Saikuba Jabbi, and a Police Officer, Sub Inspector Fakebba Jawara were on Tuesday 3rd January 2023 arraigned before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court and charged with concealment of treason and conspiracy to commit a felony.
“Accordingly, The Gambia government declares Warrant Officer Class Two (2) Lamin Jadama a fugitive from justice and urges citizens and security agencies both within and outside the jurisdiction to report him to the nearest police or security post.”
While concluded that investigations into the alleged coup plot are progressing and members of the public would be notified accordingly.