8 to testify against 22 SLPP supporters
Eight (8) prosecution
witnesses from the Criminal Investigation Department
of the Central police Station were brought to court
on Thursday 19 March to testify against twenty two
(22) supporters of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party
who are standing trial following the political
skirmish on Monday 16th March. The witnesses did not
testify because the prosecution was not well
prepared to lead them in evidence.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Oladipo Robin
Mason told the court that as a public prosecutor he
was interested in prosecuting the matter considering
its political sensitivity. He subsequently made an
application for the magistrate to give the
prosecution time to properly prepare its case.
Dr. Bubuake Jabbie a legal legendary joined ten
other lawyers to constitute the Defence team
representing the 22 accused.
Eke Halloway, the lead defence counsel objected to
the application made by the DPP stating that the
prosecution should have thoroughly investigated the
charges against the accused before charging them to
court. He called for the court to dismiss the
matter. Magistrate Steven Conteh adjourned the
matter to the 30th March