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Gambia News : Veteran Gambian journalist faces more charges in two courts

On Wednesday he appeared before the Kanifing Magistrates Court some 12 kilometres from Banjul in respect of an ongoing case for the publication of false news, an offence contrary to the law.

The alleged offence is about a story by The Point concerning a Gambian diplomat at the country’s Washington embassy who was said to have been arrested and held in custody at the State Central Prison, about two kilometers outside Banjul, which the state said was false.

On Wednesday, the prosecution wanted to amend the charges by adding a second count in respect of another report in the newspaper regarding the appointment of former Information Minister Mrs. Neneh Macdouall Gaye as the Gambia’s new ambassador to Washington which they also said is false.

The defence objected to the action on grounds of law and the case was adjourned by the presiding magistrate to 11th March for a ruling. In the meantime, Pap Saine remains free on a bail bond of D50, 000 (2,500 US dollars).

In another development, fresh charges were brought against the embattled editor for which he appeared at the magistrate’s court in Banjul. The two count charges are that by false pretence, knowing that he is not a citizen of The Gambia, he obtained a birth certificate in 1994 thereby committing an offence.

The second charge reads that by false declaration he obtained a Gambian passport for himself in 2007 and thereby committed an offence. When he was arraigned at the magistrate’s court in Banjul on Wednesday, he pleaded not guilty and was granted a D10.000 bail (500 US dollars).

That case was also adjourned to 11 March giving rise to the prospect of Saine appearing in two court rooms the same day, first at Kanifing court and subsequently at Banjul court, for the trials.