Sheikh Omar Jeng, former director of operations of the National Intelligence Agency, has pleaded for clemency after being sentenced to death for partaking in the murdering of Ebrima Solo Sandeng.

The High Court in Banjul convicted Jeng on murder charges following a five year trial. 

The court also sentenced to death six other former security officers including the ex-director general of the National Intelligence Agency Yankuba Badjie former, Baboucar Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Haruna Susso, Tamba Masireh, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang.

In his plea of mercy, Sheikh Omar Jeng said: “I have a very young family. A lot of people depend on me and I am the breadwinner of my family. 

“I am very remorseful and if yesterday were to be today I would have acted differently.”

“It is not an excuse but I didn’t have the confidence and courage to say no, when I was supposed to say no, and I am not ashamed of it,” he added.

Solo Sandeng, a senior UDP official and other party activists, were detained in 2016 by the Jammeh regime for staging a protest demanding electoral reforms. 

Sandeng died in the custody of the National Intelligence Agency while being interrogated for his role in the protest. 

He was hastily buried by state agents without the permission of his family. His body was later found in a makeshift grave in the fishing town of Tanji.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba