Former director general of the National Intelligence Agency Yankuba Badjie appeared before The Gambia’s Court of Appeal on Monday as proceedings opened in his challenge against a death sentence imposed for his role in the 2016 killing of political activist Solo Sandeng.

Badjie is appealing a 13 July 2022 judgment by Justice Kumba Sillah of the Banjul High Court, which convicted him of murder and related offences over Sandeng’s death in state custody and sentenced him to death.

At the hearing, Badjie was represented by lawyer Christopher Mane and co-counsel Pauline. No lawyer appeared for the state, despite court records showing the Ministry of Justice had been served with a hearing notice on 20 January 2026.

Addressing the court, Mane said Badjie initially filed his appeal himself while detained at Mile 2 Prison and has since secured full legal representation.

He requested additional time to submit amended grounds of appeal, a request the court granted.

The Court of Appeal adjourned the matter to 17 February 2026 to allow the defence to file a revised notice of appeal.

In a pointed warning, the court said the Ministry of Justice would be re-served, cautioning that any further failure to appear could attract “serious consequences”.

In his appeal, Badjie maintains his innocence, arguing that the High Court’s findings were not supported by the evidence and challenging both his conviction and the death sentence.

The case is among the most high-profile prosecutions linked to abuses under the former government of Yahya Jammeh, whose 22-year rule was marked by allegations of torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.