Ring leader in coup trial sentenced to 12 years

Three other accused persons Gibril Darboe (2nd accused), Ebrima Sannoh (3rd accused) and Fa Bakary Jawara (5th accused) were acquitted and discharged of treason, concealment of treason, and inciting mutiny.

Sanna Fadera was charged with treason contrary to Section 35 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code among other charges. According to the particulars of the treason offence, he had prepared to overthrow the government of The Gambia.

The court therefore convicted and sentenced Sanna Fadera to 12 years imprisonment for the offence of treason.

The court, however, ruled that, for the accused persons who were acquitted and discharged to be in remand goes against the very fabric of their Rule of Law.

State Counsel AM Yusuf urged the court to remand the 2nd, 3rd and 5th accused persons pending the hearing and determination of the appeal at the High Court.

However, the court has indicated that the State is always at liberty to appeal any decision they feel aggrieved with.

The court, therefore, granted the 2nd, 3rd and 5th accused bail in the sum of D100, 000 with one Gambian surety who must deposit an affidavit of means. 

Court also ordered the prosecution to file the necessary notice and grounds of appeal within 30 days, failing which the order for remand shall elapse.

The court first convicted Sanna to life imprisonment but his Defence Counsel L.S. Camara pleaded for the court to lesser the punishment of his client.

Defence counsel pleaded for the court to exercise powers to hand down a lesser sentence, noting that his client loves and cherishes the country he served and also pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that "we are all human and we’re prone to errors."

Defence Counsel L.S. Camara further stated that the convict is a young person engaged in the Army and working as a lab technician and also graduated from University of The Gambia with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Chemistry, adding he had no previous convictions.