By Nelson Manneh
Justice Sonia of the Banjul High Court Annex on Wednesday, 4th June 2025, called on the legal representatives of Rongo (Momodou Lamin Jarju) and the Alkalo of Banjulunding, Momodou Lungs Jarju, to identify and agree on all documents they intend to present in court to accelerate progress in a case that has dragged on for years and was previously referred to the Supreme Court.
The case, now back at the High Court following a Supreme Court directive, resumed with Rongo accompanied by his lawyer, Borry S. Touray, while Counsel Kebba Sanyang represented the Alkalo and his associates. Justice Sonia invited Rongo to take the stand, and under oath, he expressed readiness to proceed with the presentation of his fresh evidence—materials he has compiled and submitted over the years in support of his claim to customary land ownership.
However, Lawyer Kebba Sanyang said he was unable to sort through the volume of Rongo’s evidential documents despite having received them earlier, citing their sheer volume and requesting more time to review them and determine which he would not object to.
Counsel Touray pushed back, accusing Sanyang of deliberately stalling the proceedings. He argued that the documents were not only served to the defense but were also available to the court and that enough time had been granted at the last adjournment to sort through them.
Justice Sonia reminded Lawyer Sanyang that the court had previously directed him to complete his review of the documents before this sitting so that the case could finally move forward and return to the Supreme Court for final deliberations.
Sanyang admitted receiving the documents but pleaded for an adjournment to allow him to meet privately with Touray to sort out the admissible documents before the next sitting.
Justice Sonia granted the request and urged both counsels to meet outside court to resolve the matter swiftly so the case could proceed without further delay. The matter was adjourned to 3rd July 2025 for continuation.
Among the documents Rongo seeks to present are: a copy of The Point newspaper dated 30th May 2005 reporting the dismissal of the late Erik Tundeh Janneh from his roles as District Chief and Village Alkalo due to alleged misconduct involving 385 plots of land; apology letters from Janneh dated 10th September 2005 and 20th May 2009 acknowledging trespassing on Rongo’s land; warning letters from late Sheriffo Colley and late Chief Alhagie Demba Sanyang issued to Janneh and the current Alkalo (Momodou Lungs Jarju) for similar acts; documents on Rongo’s development projects on the disputed land including agriculture and infrastructure; a letter from a seasoned surveyor; sketch plans of schools and institutions allocated within Rongo’s land; additional plans showing areas allegedly trespassed by the Jarjus; and a letter from a handwriting and fingerprint expert alleging falsification of documents by the late Janneh and current Alkalo and their associates.
