allAfrica.com: Gambia: Malick Jones Testifies in Mam Sait Ceesay's Trial (Page 1 of 1)

Journalist Malick Jones, the interdicted journalist at the Gambia Radio and Television Services, has, on Tuesday, 22 April, testified in the case of journalist Mam Sait Ceesay, the former Press Officer at state house.

In his testimony, before Magistrate Kayode Olagubutu of the Banjul Magistrates Court, Mr. Jones said on or about 5 and 7 September 2007, he and Mam Sait were discussing on the phone. Mr. Jones said that he informed Mam Sait that he (Jones) has been promoted to be in charge of Current Affairs and Sports at GRTS; that he also advised Mam Sait to do well at his work place so that he can become the Director of Press and Public Relations (DPPR). Jones said that Mam Sait told him that he has developed interest in that position. Jones added that he told Mam Sait that Alex Dacosta could also be a prospective candidate for the position of DPPR.

Mr. Jones told the court that after 48 hours, he saw the publication in the Daily Observer Newspaper, on the front page, that Alex Dacosta is DPPR.

"I then called the accused person to enquire from him whether he gave the words to Observer that Alex Dacosta is DPPR. He told me that he only sent a text message to Dr. Taal, with a question mark at the end of the phrase," said Jones. Mr. Jones said that he did not see the said text message but that it was Mam Sait who told him that there was a question mark at the end of the sentence. Mr. Jones added that he cautioned Mam Sait that it was wise of him to do that but that Mam Sait told him that he is yet to see the Daily Observer publication. He said that Mam Sait promised to get back to him as soon as he saw the publication; that Mam Sait later told him that Dr Tall told him (Mam Sait) that he did not see the question mark at the end of the sentence.

"He told me that after cross checking, Dr Tall later confirmed that there was a question mark at the end of the phrase; that Dr Taal told him that it was a mistake on his side for not checking the question mark", said Jones. Going further, Mr. Jones said he was arrested by the Crime Management Coordinator (CMC) Dibba, in connection to the matter, and brought to the police headquarters, where he made a statement.

During cross examination by defence counsel Antouman Gaye, Mr. Jones said he was arrested on the 8 September, 2007, and that he made his statement to the police on the same day. Jones added that his statement was a cautionary statement "I am putting it to you that you and the accused person were charged together on the same charge before Magistrate B. Y. Camara of the Banjul Magistrates' Court. Mr. Jones replied, "with due respect, may I ask the counsel if that is relevant to this case", Magistrate Olagubutu intervened and urged Jones to answer the question. Jones replied in the positive. "I am putting it to you that you told the accused person, boy you are sitting there, Alex Dacosta was appointed DPPR", said counsel Gaye. Jones replied "No sir". Mr. Jones said as a professional journalist he would prefer to enquire the matter first, hence there is a question mark.

Mr. Jones told the court that he is hoping to go back to work with GRTS. "I am putting it to you that your evidence shows that you wanted to go back to work again", said defence counsel Gaye. Mr. Jones said, "I'm expected to go back to work". "You are hoping to go back to work, that is why you are giving such evidences," said Gaye. Mr. Jones said "No, I am only stating the facts." I am putting it to you that the accused person was only enquiring from Dr Taal about the appointment of Alex Dacosta," said Gaye. Mr. Jones replied, "It is only the accused who can answer that." Counsel Gaye got irritated and warned Jones that if he (Jones) is not a friend he would have taken a more hard lined position on him. Mr Jones later said as far as the question mark is concerned, the accused must have been enquiring from Dr Taal. Mr. Jones asserted that he never talked to Dr Taal about the matter; that he also read the retracted article on the same issue. "I am putting it to you that the charge that you and the accused were standing trial for is still pending before this court," said Gaye. Jones said, there was a stay of proceeding in that case.

Mam Sait Ceesay, the former Press Officer at State house is standing trial for false publication.

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