On the 13th of March 2026, Sanna Manjang appeared in court for plea-taking following the state's amendment of the charges against him.
However, his lawyer, Sheriff Kumba Jobe, objected.
Counsel S.K. Jobe told the court that the amended charges against his client are incompetent. He argued that the state did not obtain any court order before amending the charges.
“It is our submission that once an accused person pleaded to information, any subsequent amendment of that information, the leave of the court must first be sought and obtained,” Counsel S.K. Jobe argued.
Counsel S.K. Jobe then cited Section 218 of the Criminal Code to support his objection. He said there was no application before the court for the state to obtain an order to amend the charges against his client.
“The Prosecution has not made any application for amendment and obtained no order from the court for amendment and the court has not ordered amendment on its own. Therefore, the amended Information is incompetent and must be struck out,” Counsel SK Jobe argued.
Counsel S.K. Jobe further objected to the charges, citing Section 218 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecution E.R. Dougan countered that the section doesn't apply and the prosecution can amend charges without a court order.
Justice Jobarteh overruled Jobe's objection, declaring the charges "competent".
When charges were read to Sanna Manjang, Jobe raised another objection, saying the laws cited were inapplicable due to the old Criminal Code being repealed. He also argued counts 3 and 5 lacked specificity on co-conspirators.
Justice Jobarteh overruled Jobe's objection on the laws, but sustained it on counts 3 and 5, ordering the state to identify co-conspirators. The state was granted an adjournment to amend the charges, with a deadline of March 20, 2026.
The case is adjourned to March 25, 2026, for plea taking.
