The former press officer at State House,  Mam Sait Ceesay, was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Banjul Magistrates Court, to face two  fresh criminal charges.

Mam Sait Ceesay was arrested last Friday by the police and charged with false publication and broadcasting, contrary to Section 181(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume III Laws of The Gambia 1990 and the  Criminal Code Amendment Act no. 18 2004.

According to the prosecution, Mam Sait Ceesay on or about 8th August, 2007, “willfully, negligently or recklessly” or having no reason to believe that it is true, published in the Daily Observer that Alex Dacosta has been appointed as the director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the President, when Ebrima JT Kujabi was the substantive holder of that office and thereby committed an offence.

On count two, Mr Ceesay on the same date, willfully, negligently or recklessly, or having no reason to believe that it is true, published through the Daily Observer that Alex Dacosta has been appointed as the director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the President, when Ebrima JT Kujabi is still the substantive holder of that office and thereby committed an offence.

Mr Ceesay pleaded not guilty shortly after the charges were read to him. He was then granted bail to the sum of D10,000, with a Gambian surety who is formerly employed.

It could be recalled that the accused and  Malick Jones, former senior producer at  GRTS Radio, were earlier on charged with giving false information to a foreign journalist. But the case discontinued in the court to allow the prosecution to seek consent the of the Attorney General’s Chambers.