Defense Cross-Examines Prosecution Witnesses Yaya Darboe and Sainey Bayo in Correa Torture Trial
Michael Sang Correa, Alleged Jungler
By Buba Gajigo
Yaya Darboe and Sainey Bayo, key prosecution witnesses in the ongoing trial of alleged Jungler Michael Sang Correa, were cross-examined this week by defense attorneys. The witnesses were questioned about the political climate under former President Yahya Jammeh and the implications it may have had on Correa’s alleged actions.
During the cross-examination, defense attorney Jared Westbroek cited several individuals allegedly executed by Jammeh for perceived disloyalty—names that Darboe acknowledged. Darboe told the court that disloyalty to Jammeh often meant a death sentence, suggesting that fear may have played a role in the obedience of security personnel, including Correa.
Westbroek also suggested that Darboe remained in the army and received promotions because of his loyalty to the former president. In response, Darboe maintained that his promotions were based on merit, a point he reaffirmed when questioned by the State Prosecutor.
Addressing his own role in the 2006 coup attempt, Darboe denied any involvement in prior coup plots and testified that he joined the 2006 effort to “rescue the country from hardship.” He said it was former military leader Ndure Cham who first informed him of the plan during a visit to Cham’s residence. According to Darboe, the plan was for Alieu Jobe to assume the presidency and Cham to serve as vice president had the coup succeeded. He noted that after the failed attempt, he resumed military service, despite the risk of retaliation by Jammeh and the Junglers.
Regarding his alleged torture at Mile 2 prison, Darboe testified that Malick Jatta, another alleged Jungler, was present but did not participate in the abuse. He acknowledged previously helping Jatta avoid dismissal from the army. Darboe described Correa as respectful and obedient before joining the Junglers, but claimed he later became an aggressive torturer.
The second prosecution witness, Sainey Bayo, was cross-examined by defense attorney Matthew Belcher. Like Darboe, Bayo acknowledged that individuals close to Jammeh who were suspected of disloyalty were often killed. He testified that following the 2006 coup attempt, he was arrested and tortured by the Junglers at the National Intelligence Agency. He stated that General Saul Badjie was the one arrested initially and that Bayo had been sent to pick him up.
On Wednesday, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Matthew Gifford also testified, detailing how Michael Sang Correa was arrested. Gifford explained that Correa came under scrutiny after sending large sums of money to The Gambia using his diplomatic passport. He also identified several photographs of torture victims taken in The Gambia, including Pierre John Mendy, and confirmed that some victims had identified Correa by circling his image in a photo collage.
Earlier in the week, the court dismissed one of the charges against Correa after a key witness, Bunja Darboe, failed to appear. Prosecutors withdrew Count Five—related to the alleged torture of the army officer—explaining that the witness could not testify due to a current deployment.
Correa, a former member of the elite paramilitary group known as the “Junglers,” faces multiple charges including torture, enforced disappearance, and extrajudicial killings during the 22-year rule of Yahya Jammeh. Several former Junglers implicated him during hearings before The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
The trial is scheduled to resume today, April 10, 2025.