The Special Criminal Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel NKea yesterday adjourned the mini-trial, otherwise called voire dire, involving deputy editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer newspaper, for ruling.
Alhagie Jobe had earlier alleged during the course of the trial that he was tortured, in obtaining his statements by a panel of investigators at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
This prompted the court to order a voire dire to ascertain the voluntariness of statements Jobe made to the investigators at the NIA.
Editor Jobe was arraigned, alongside one Mbye Bittaye, on a five-count charge of making an act with seditious intention, seditious publication, and possession of seditious publication, giving false information to public servant, and reckless and negligent. Mbye Bittaye was arraigned on a single count of making preparation to do act with seditious intention.
When the case was called, defence counsel S. Gaye announced his representation for the 2nd accused, Mbye Bittaye, while holding brief for counsel E. Jah, who represents the 1st accused, Alhagie Jobe.
The court then asked counsel Gaye about the whereabouts of the state counsel, and Gaye told the court that he understood the state counsel was at the lower court in another fresh criminal matter.
The judge adjourned the case to 26 June 2013, for ruling.