The State has withdrawn the murder charges previously filed against former alleged Junguler Sanna Manjang and replaced them with two counts of assault as his trial continued before the High Court in Banjul.

The development emerged on Thursday when the prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Dougan, informed Justice S.K. Jobarteh that it had amended the information before the court and filed a new two-count indictment against Manjang.

The accused, who was represented by Counsel S.K. Jobe, had initially faced murder charges filed by the prosecution in January 2026.

The charges were later amended several times, including an expansion to six counts before being reduced to four.

Defence Counsel objected to the latest amendment, arguing that the repeated changes to the charges had prejudiced the accused, who had remained in custody based on the earlier murder allegations.

Counsel Jobe told the court that the removal of the murder charges and introduction of assault counts at this stage was not a simple mistake but what he described as a move that could unfairly affect his client’s rights.

The defence urged the court to reject the amendment, relying on provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025, and arguing that the prosecution’s powers to amend charges must not be exercised arbitrarily.

However, the prosecution defended its decision, with Deputy DPP Dougan arguing that the State has constitutional powers to institute and amend criminal proceedings in the interest of justice.

She maintained that the provisions cited by the defence were not applicable because the amendment was initiated by the prosecution and not ordered by the court.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice S.K. Jobarteh allowed the amended charges to stand and directed the court registrar to read the new charges to Manjang.

Manjang pleaded not guilty to both counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 228 of the Criminal Code 2009.

The charges relate to allegations that he unlawfully assaulted Tamsir Jasseh and Yaya M. S. Darboe in March 2006.

Following the plea, the prosecution applied for previous records and evidence from the earlier proceedings to be adopted into the new case.

The defence also made an oral application for bail, citing constitutional provisions and sections of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2025. The prosecution objected, requesting that the application be formally filed in writing.

Justice Jobarteh adjourned the matter until Tuesday, 28 July 2026, at 9:30am for the hearing of the formal bail application.