The government of president Yahya Jammeh has brought fresh charges against the embattled former army chief, Gen Lang Tombong Tamba and the ex-Navy commander Sarjo Fofana.

The two appeared in court on Friday charged with four counts of treason for their role in the 2006 failed military takeover by the then army chief Col Ndure Cham.

Details of Charges

Count one - Conspiracy to commit Treason: The particulars of offense state that Lieutenant General Lang Tombong Tamba and Navy commander Sarjo Fofana, on different dates between January to March 21, 2006, in Banjul and other places in The Gambia, conspired with Col Ndure Cham and others at large, plotted to overthrow the pesident and the demoractically elected government of the Gambia by use of force and thereby commited an offense.

Count two - Treason: The particulars of offense state that the duo with others at large, between January to March 21, 2006, endeavored to stage a coup d'etat and overthrow the democratically elected government of the Gambia by use of arms and thereby commited and offense.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Count three - Concealment of treason: The particulars of offense state that Lt General Lang Tombong Tamba, on diverse dates between January to March 21, 2006, in Banjul and other places in the Gambia, knowing that Colonel Ndure Cham, Sarjo Fofana and others at large, intended to stage a coup d'etat and overthrown the president and the democratically elected government of the Gambia, did not give information thereof within all reasonable amount of time to a minister or magistrate or a police officer, and thereby commited and offense

Count four - Concealment of treason: The particulars of offense indicate that Lt General Lang Tombong Tamba on diverse dates between January and March 21, 2006, in Banjul and other places in the Gambia, knowing that Colonel Ndure Cham, Sarjo Fofana and others now at large, intended to stage a coup d'etat and overthrow the president and the democratically elected government of the Gambia, did not take reasonable and neccessary steps to prevent the occurence of the offense, and thereby commited and offense.

General Tamba plead not guilty.

Lamin Sheriff Tambedou appeared for Gen Tamba while Rear Admiral Fofana appeared pro se.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutio (DDPP), Mr. Mikalive Abubarr appered for the state.

Commander Fofana pleaded with the court to give him time to get a counsel. He said he has been in detention for the past four months, and has not been allowed access to his family to facilitate a counsel for him.

Justice Ikpala who presided over the case, adjourned the hearing to July 2, and orderd prison authorities to give access to family members of Commander Fofana.