Gambia: Former Observer sports editor granted bail
By Gambian Correspondent – Nanama Keita, former sports editor of the Daily Observer newspaper, was yesterday arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before acting-Principal Magistrate Alagba charged with giving false information to a public servant.
Nanama Keita, former sports editor of the Daily Observer newspaper
Keita, who was detained on Monday, was alleged to have, in May 2011, presented a petition letter to the Office of the President, claiming wrongful dismissal as Deputy Editor-in-Chief and head of the Sports Desk, and alleging financial malpractice by the Managing Director of the Daily Observer Company, knowing same information to be false.
Defence counsel Lamin L.S. Camara applied to the court to grant the accused person bail, since the alleged offence is a bailable one.
In response, the prosecuting police officer, Superintendent Sainey Joof, told the court that the prosecution was applying for an adjournment to enable them arrange their witnesses to come to court.
He said the prosecution was not opposed to bail for the accused person, as the issue of bail was at the discretion of the court.
Keita was subsequently granted bail in the sum of D100, 000 with one Gambian surety, who must deposit his national ID card with the assistant registrar of the court.
Hearing continues on 12th July 2011.
