Pap Saine's Nationality Case Fails to Proceed

The trial of Mr Pap Saine, Co-publisher and Managing Editor of The Point newspaper, could not proceed yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates' Court as expected.

The case was adjourned following the prosecution's application for an adjournment for the reason that the two witnesses he intended to bring to court had indeed travelled out of the jurisdiction.

Antouman Gaye, defence counsel, told the court that they are not opposing the application, but he urged the court to press on the prosecution that there must be an end to litigation. He added that on the next adjourned date the prosecution should be prepared to proceed with the case failing which the prosecution case be closed and the defence open their defence.

The presiding magistrate, Lamin George, adjourned the case until the 18th May 2009.

Mr Pap Saine is standing trial on two counts of obtaining registration by false pretence and obtaining Gambian passport by false declaration. He has since denied the charges.

The prosecution has so far called three witnesses, Inspector Sainey Ndure, a police officer, Dawda Leigh, a birth and death registration officer at the Medical and Health Department and Mr Ebou Correa, an immigration officer, and opted to call two more witnesses.

Mr Ebou Correa during cross-examination by the defence council, Antouman Gaye, admitted at the Banjul Magistrates' Court that he was satisfied with the answers provided by Pap Saine over his nationality. Mr Leigh also told the court that Mr Saine's birth certificate was genuine.

During investigations Mr. Saine produced his passport, national ID card, voter's card and birth certificate as proofs of his Gambian citizenship.

In addition, he had produced his late father's passport and a title deed of a property at

The defence lawyers are Antouman Gaye, Hawa Sisay- Sabally, Mr Momodou Musa Drammeh and Ms Hajum Gaye.