The case of arson, stealing, willful damage to property and being in possession of stolen property involving one Mangiki Sambou continued recently at the Special Criminal Court with the address of the defence counsel.
In her address, defence counsel Olieduma submitted that for the charge of arson to be proven by the prosecution, the prosecution must establish that the accused had set fire on the building.
She added that even though there was fire, it was not intentionally set by the accused, submitting that there was evidence that the smoke had emanated from the metre of another building and not the accused person’s building, which later intruded into the accused person’s building and engulfed the golden torch.
Counsel submitted further that there was no evidence to dispute that the fire did not start from the metre, and the prosecution did not lead evidence to show that the accused set fire on the building.
She added that for the charge of stealing to stand, the prosecution must prove that the properties were taken away, arguing that there was no such evidence from the prosecution.
She urged the court not to attach any weight to the cautionary and voluntary statements of the accused, urging the court to acquit and discharge the accused.
The case continues.
