By Nicholas Bass
Justice Basirou V.P Mahoney of the Banjul High Court is today expected to deliver judgment in the trial of Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera and alleged conspirators following several weeks of trial over an alleged coup attempt.
L/Cpl. Fadera was being tried on charges of treason, mutiny, and conspiracy.
His alleged conspirators Petty Officer Gibriel Darboe, Corporal Ebrima Sannoh, and Sub-Inspector FabakaryJawara were being tried on charges of conspiracy, treason, and concealment of treason.
According to court records, L/Cpl. Sanna Fadera, Petty Officer Gibril Darboe, Corporal Ebrima Sannoh, Sergeant Gibril Darboe, and Lamin Jadama now at large, between October and December 2022 within Banjul and diverse places of the Republic of The Gambia, prepared or endeavored to overthrow the democratically elected government of President AdamaBarrow by unlawful means.
The State lawyers presented seven witnesses, who gave their testimonies in an open court while one military officer gave his testimony in chambers.
One of the indicted soldiers Cpl. Omar Njie was acquitted and discharged on 14 June 2023, following his lawyer’s no-case-to-answer submission.
However, the charges against Cpl. Fadera and co. were sustained after Justice Mahoney ruled that they had a case to answer. Witnesses gave testimonies of their alleged meeting in Kafuta about how to overthrow the government.