The chairman of the General Court Martial Commodore Madani Senghore on Monday 27 may gave verdict on the case involving the state versus General Ansumana Tamba and General Umpa Mendy whom were accused of desertion.
They were facing a single count charge of desertion contrary to Section 53 (1) (a) of the Gambia Armed Forces Act. The trial has now been concluded and the two accused generals are found not guilty of the charges and are acquitted and discharged.
In a separate but similar engagement regarding the verdict of 3 officers and 9 other ranks standing trial for various offences under the criminal code of the Gambia Armed Forces Act. The offence ranges from treason, mutiny, negligent or willful interference with lawful custody to connivance of desertion. All accused persons except the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th accused were found guilty of the offences charged and were thus acquitted and discharged.
Subsequently, the accused were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th ,5th, 10th and 11th accused were served with sentences ranging from 9,8,7,5 years imprisonment with the 12th accused given the lowest imprisonment term of 3 years. Their court marshal was chaired by Colonel Salifu Bojang.
