Pap Saine’s Citizenship Trial Starts!!!

….As Lawyer Antouman Gaye Quizzes Prosecution Witness

By Fabakary Ceesay: Source: Foroyaa Newspaper

Mr. Antouman Gaye, the leading counsel in the nationality trial of Mr. Pap Saine, on Wednesday, 25 March, cross examined Inspector Saine Ndure, the Police officer who testified in the trial at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Lamin George.
Lawyer Gaye asked the witness, “Did Mr. Saine give you another document different from his nationality documents.”

Inspector Ndure, in response, said, “Mr. Saine only gave me his nationality documents.” Gaye further quizzed, “Did he not ask for excuse to go home to bring the copies of his father’s passport and the title deed to number 42 Gloucester Street in Banjul.”
Inspector Ndure replied in negative.
“Do you work in the investigation team with one Mr. Correa from the Immigration Department in this case”, asked the leading defence counsel.
Ndure said “I did not work with him but he was invited to question Pap Saine alone.” “Do you know Malamin Ceesay”, asked lawyer Gaye.
“Yes he is my OC”, responded prosecution witness Ndure.
Gaye asked, “Would you not know whether Mr. Ceesay and Correa are in possession of the copies of Mr. Saine’s father’s passport and the title deed to the compound in Gloucester Street.”
“I should be informed about that but was never informed”, answered Ndure.
Gaye said, “So if I tell you that the two have the documents, would you deny that”.
“I should deny it for I am the head of the investigating team”, responded Ndure.
“I’m putting it to you that Mr. Ceesay and Correa are in possession of those documents”, said lawyer Gaye.
Ndure said “I do not know.”
Responding to further questioning, Inspector Ndure told the Court that Mr. Saine gave them only one statement in the matter of his nationality, adding that he also gave a statement in his case of False Publication. Police Inspector Ndure told the Court that he was part of the investigating team in Pap Saine’s other case of alleged False Publication, which is before Kanifing Magistrates’ Court. He denied knowing the independent witness, adding that his name, address, number and contact are all with the investigators.
When Lawyer Gaye asked who invited the independent witness, Inspector Ndure answered that he was invited by Sergeant Demba Saidy.
Asked whether the time was indicated on the statement as to when the writing was done, Ndure replied in the negative. On whether there is any indication of the time as when the independent witness was
Lawyer Gaye further asked, “Is there anytime indicated in the statement about the independent witness witnessing was the statement was being taken?”
“No time was indicated in the statement”, responded Ndure.
Defence counsel Gaye said, “I’m putting it to you that the independent witness came to your office after when the statement was written. He only came to signed it.”
Ndure said “The witness was present at the time the statement was made.”
“Did the witness read the statement after it was written?” asked lawyer Gaye.
Ndure in response said “He read it and asked Mr. Saine if he is satisfied with it and Pap reply in the positive and then he signed it.”
Case was adjourned for continuation.