Voire-dire in Briton’s murder case

Ebrima Drammeh, an employee of a private security firm and a resident of Bakau New Town, yesterday testified at the Special Criminal Court, as the third prosecution witness (PW3) in a voire-dire trial involving three Nigerians nationals, Michael, Stanly and Collins, who were alleged to have murdered one Ian Stokes, a British national, at Bakoteh Junction Bar.

The witness told the court that he came to know Stanley, when he was introduced to him by ASP Lamin Cham, at the Major Crime Unit at Police Headquarters in Banjul, on 15 May 2012.

“I received a call from ASP Lamin Cham, around 12pm while I was at work, inviting me to come to police headquarters at major crime unit. Upon arrival, Cham introduced me to Stanley and told Stanley that he (Cham) wanted me to serve as an independent witness,” Drammeh testified.

Stanley was cautioned in his presence and started to speak, he said, adding that when Cham asked Stanley whether he met the white man the 2nd accused person replied that they met with the white man at the restaurant and later boarded a vehicle and drove away.

 Drammeh added that the statement were read over to the accused person in English, which the accused said he was satisfied with, and that he the independent witness also asked Stanley, and he said he was satisfied.

The witness denied the allegation made by the accused person that he was tortured.

“I was present, but the accused was never tortured in my presence nor was he threatened in my presence. I did not notice any sign of torture on the accused,” he further testified.

When the statement was shown to the witness, he recognized the statement by his signature, but said he could not read.

Under cross-examination, the witness stated that he had never worked with the police, but he had served as an independent witness on many occasions.

He said that in his presence Stanley was charged with murder and kidnapping, adding that all he knew was that the 2nd accused was not tortured in his presence.

“I was present when he was cautioned, and I did not see any injury on him,” he added.

The case continues today.