The authorities have pressed fresh charges against Mam Sait Ceesay, former Press Officer at the State House.

Mr Ceesay was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Kayode of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, charged with publishing false information contrary to section 181 (A) of the criminal code as amended by the Code Amendment Act no. 18 of 2004.

The particulars of the offence in count one stated that “Mam Sait Ceesay on or about 8th August 2007 willfully, negligently or recklessly, or having no reason to believe that it is true, published to the Daily Observer that Alex Dacosta has been appointed as DPPR (Director of Press and Public Relations office of the President) when J.T. Kujabi is still the substantive holder of that office and thereby committed an offence.”

In count two the particulars of offence stated that “Mam Sait Ceesay on or about 8th August 2007 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 DPPR (Director of Press and Public Relations office of the President) when JT Kujabi is still the substantive holder of that office and thereby committed an offence.”

The accused has since denied the charges preferred against him before being granted court bail in the sum of D10, 000 with a surety who had to meet the bail condition.

It would be recalled that Mam Sait Ceesay was once charged with giving false information to a foreign journalist. The resultant case was later sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers for legal opinion.

The case has been adjourned to 10th March 2008 for trial.