Drama unfolded at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court when one Fatou Janneh, a prosecution witness, collapsed in court, as she was being cross-examined by defence counsel Moses Richards.
Fatou Janneh was testifying against the proprietor of Sultan Sweets Bar and Restaurant, Muhammed Al’ Amar, and his colleague, who are facing trial for selling pizza which was unfit for sale.
The witness, Fatou Janneh, in her testimony, told the court that she is a resident of Kotu.
She adduced that on the evening of 17th September 2009, she went to buy pizza at Sultan Sweets Bar and Restaurant along
She revealed that three hours after eating the pizza, their stomachs started reacting and they had continuous diarrhoea.
She went on to testify that they decided to go to the Bakau Health Centre and got some medication, but that did not help. “In the morning, we decided to go to the ASB German Clinic,” she told the court.
She further informed the court that on their arrival at the ASB Clinic, they were admitted and spent three days, but they did not get better.
“We returned to the same clinic, and the doctor told us that we had food poisoning,” she revealed, adding that they were given the result of the treatment, a medical bill and a receipt.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Moses Richards, the witness said she could not remember the date she bought the pizza.
“How many of you ate the pizza?” Moses Richard asked.
“Four of us ate the pizza,” the witness told the court.
“According to the records, ten people ate the pizza,” Moses Richards put it to the witness.
“Eight people ate the pizza. The police made a mistake,” the witness answered.
“In your evidence-in-chief, you told the court that four people ate the pizza. What about the rest?” challenged Moses Richard.
“Four of us were admitted, and the rest were not,” the witness replied.
“I am putting it to you that you are lying,” said Moses Richards.
“I said the truth,” the witness added.
“If you add the other four people who allegedly ate the pizza to the eight you told the police, the number would be twelve. I am again putting it to you that you are lying,” Moses Richards told the witness.
At this juncture, the witness appeared to be feeling dizzy, and subsequently collapsed.
She was then lifted, and taken out of the courtroom, and the presiding Magistrate stopped the proceedings and rose.
The case was at that juncture adjourned for continuation.
Inspector Mballow stood in for the IGP.
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