The trial of the former Director General of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, Ibrahim Bun Sanneh and four others, yesterday proceeded with the testimony of the fourth prosecution witness, Boto Keita, a police officer.
Boto Keita, a police officer and resident of Kombo Mandiyana told the court that he obtained a voluntary statement from the 1st and 2nd accused persons: Bun Sanneh and Karamo Bojang, on 20th April 2010 and 2nd April 2010 respectively, in the presence of independent witnesses.
At this juncture, both statements were tendered and marked as exhibits without any objections from the defence.
However, when the DPP applied to tender a voluntary statement, purportedly obtained from the 2nd accused, Karamo Bojang on 27th April 2010, the defence counsel, Kebba Sanyang, PC Secka and LK Mboge, all objected to this on the grounds that the defence was not served with the said document.
Lawyer LK Mboge also challenged the fact that Bubacarr Khan was being used as an independent witness, stating that Khan works as a mechanic at the NIA headuarters. He further submitted that all the exhibits tendered in court, from E2 to E7, bear the signature of the same Babucarr Khan, and cited Section 3 subsection (2) of the Evidence Act, to support his point.
DPP Chenge, in reply, cited Section 31 subsection 2 of the Evidence Act, to buttress his point, adding that "it is very clear that a confession by an accused is admission that he committed the crime."
The court subsequently ruled against LK Mboge's objections, and the cautionary statement, dated 11th April 2010, was tendered and marked as an exhibit.
Bun Sanneh and his co-accused persons, all of whom pleaded not guilty are facing a 30-count charge, ranging from conspiracy to commit felony, stealing by person in public service, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession of fire arms, unlawful possession of live ammunitions, concealment and destroying of evidence, official corruption, to abuse of office and committing economic crimes, obtaining money by false pretence, to making document without authority and forgery.
The trial judge, Justice Amadi, adjourned the case to 17th June 2010 at 9:30 am.
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