I wonder how many Gambians over 40yrs of age can produce a hospital 
issued birth certificate? How many of the current leadership can produce 
a birth certificate issued within 1 month of their birth? It will be 
tragic should those in power drag The Gambia into xenophobia and 
intolerance. Perhaps we should take time and learn from Cote d'Ivoire.

Malanding Jaiteh


    Pap Saine’s Nationality Trial Opens

<http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/pap-saines-nationality-trial-opens#map>africa 
<http://thepoint.gm/africa/news> » gambia 
<http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/news>

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The trial of Mr Pap Saine, Co-publisher and Managing Editor of The Point 
newspaper, opened yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before 
Magistrate Lamin George.

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.

On Count One, it is alleged that Pap Saine some time in the year 1994 in 
the city of Banjul knowing to be a non-citizen of the Gambia unlawfully 
procured and obtained a Gambian birth certificate No: CLP 289 by false 
pretence and thereby committed an offence.

On the second count, Pap Saine on or about the 21st May 2007 at the 
Immigration Headquarters in the city of Banjul by false declaration 
obtained a Gambian passport No PC 183902 for himself and thereby 
committed an offence.

Testifying, the first prosecution witness, Inspector Sainey Ndure, told 
the court that he is a police officer attached to the Major Crime Unit, 
Police Headquarters. He said he could identify the accused Pap Saine and 
that he could recall the 9th February 2009. He added that on the day in 
question he was at the major crime unit where he was assigned to 
question and obtain statements from the accused, Pap Saine, in respect 
of his nationality. He adduced that during the obtaining of the 
statement he was with the accused, Pap Saine, and an independent witness 
and the Accused’s solicitor.

He said after taking his particulars, the cautionary wording was read to 
the understanding of Pap Saine in English.

Further adducing evidence, Inspector Ndure told the court that Mr Pap 
Saine signed the cautionary statement and the independent witness also 
signed, adding that the accused Pap Saine wrote his own statement.

He said the independent witness also read the statement and signed it 
thereafter. The said statement was later tendered in court as exhibit. 
He said he too endorsed the statement subsequently, as the officer who 
cautioned the accused. He revealed that Pap Saine was asked to produce 
his citizenship documents. He revealed that prior to asking Pap Saine to 
produce his citizenship documents he was asked of his nationality and he 
said that he is a Gambian. He stated that Mr Pap Saine produced copies 
of his passport, Identification Card, Voter’s card and birth 
certificate. The documents were later tendered in court as exhibits 
respectively.

In cross examination, defence counsel Antouman Gaye asked the witness 
whether there were other documents produced by the accused. The witness 
replied that these were the only documents the accused produced. Further 
asked whether the accused did not produce a copy of his father’s 
passport and title deed of number

42 Gloucester Street

, the witness replied in the negative. Defence Counsel Gaye also asked 
the witness whether the accused’s father’s passport and title deed are 
not in the possession of Mr Malamin Ceesay, OC major crime and Mr Correa 
an immigration officer. The witness replied, “ I was never informed”. At 
this juncture Lawyer Gaye put it to the witness that the said documents 
are in the possession of Malamin Ceesay and Mr Correa. PW 1 maintained 
that he did not know. At yesterday’s sittings The Point boss was 
represented by Lawyers Antouman Gaye, Hawa Sisay Sabally, Momodou Musa 
Drammeh and Haddy Gaye, whilst the prosecution was represented by Cadet 
Inspector Amadou Keita.

The case was adjourned to April 8th, 2009.

Author: *Modou Sanyang*
Source: *Picture: Pap Saine (Point's Boss)*

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