The trial involving charges of obtaining a Gambian passport and birth certificate through false declaration and pretence filed against Pap Saine, the co-publisher and managing editor of The Point newspaper has been adjourned to 25th March 2009 for continuation.

The senior magistrate, Lamin George’s, decision followed an application made by Modou Drammeh, counsel for Pap Saine, for the prosecution to supply the defence with the statement of the witness. The police prosecutor, Cadet Inspector Keita objected to the submission of the defence counsel on the grounds that the application made by the defence is not applicable to the subordinate court. The presiding magistrate adjourned the case for ruling on the matter.

Meanwhile the false publication and broadcasting case involving the same Pap Saine before Acting Principal Magistrate Sainabou Wadda Ceesay, was yesterday, also adjourned to 23rd March. When the case was called, the police prosecutor, Inspector Fadera applied for a fresh charge sheet to be read to the accused, but defence team, Awa Sise Sabally and Modou Drammeh, strongly objected to this application on the  grounds that the charge sheet was defective and not proper.

According to the defence team, the offense he is charged with is only tenable in the 2004 Act and that has been amended. The proper section, according to them, is found in the 2005 Amendment Act instead of 2004.