Birth Certificate Registrar Confirms Pap Saine’s Citizenship!!!

….Prosecution Witness Dawda says Pap Saine’s Birth Certificate Is Valid

By Staff Writer  Baba Ndoye, Banjul

A lead witness in the Pap Saine citizenship trial yesterday made an interesting revelation when he confirmed the citizenship of the embattled journalist. Prosecution witness Dawda Leigh, an official of the Health Ministry, in a grand style testimony gave a vivid account about the authenticity of Saine’s citizenship credentials, which is being disputed by The Gambian state.  Appearing before magistrate George in Banjul, Leigh adduced that Pap Saine obtained his birth certificate in 1974 in Banjul. The witness said there are health records available to attest to his testimony. Leigh’s revelations brought a major setback to the prosecution case as he already discredited the validity of the state’s claims that Pap Saine is not a Gambian citizen.

In a marathon testimony, Leigh who said he resides in Sukuta Nema, affirmed that  the birth certificate presented to the police by the Point editor was valid, and unquestionable. He testified that two police officers had taken the birth certificate bearing the name  of Baboucarr Saine, with the serial number: GLR/74/289.  

"After my search in the numerous files, I found out that the said birth certificates were almost the same. I mean they were the same with the numbers correct to the dot. I would therefore say that the birth of the person bearing the name Baboucarr Saine  on it was registered here," he said

Defence counsel Antouman Gaye,Hajum Gaye, and ML Drammeh submitted that they had no questions to ask the witness. The lawyers who appeared impressed by the honesty of the witness never bothered to cross examine Mr.Leigh.

Meanwhile, the prosecution has  asked for an adjournment.  It says it intends to summon witnesses to  court. The case has been adjourned to April 22 ND for continuation.