Counsel L. Darboe further told the court that the statements of the accused, Ousainou Bojang, were not made voluntarily and that there were no independent witnesses present. He added that the statements taken did not meet the requirements of the provisions of the Evidence Act.
In his ruling, Justice E. Jaiteh suspended the main trial of the murder of the three PIU officers, adding that the trial would now focus on the issue of the drugging and beating of the accused, Ousainou Bojang.
During the Examination-in-Chief of the sixth prosecuting witness, Ebou Sowe, the Director of Public Prosecution A.M. Yusuf asked the witness how he obtained the voluntary statement of the accused and he responded that he was instructed to take the voluntary statement of each count of the accused.
The witness further said that the statements were taken in the presence of an independent witness and each of the charges were recorded in the presence of the independent witness, while the accused was reminded of his rights of self-incrimination.
He added that the statements were read to the accused which he confirmed and the independent witness also confirmed and then he endorsed it and put his details as the recorder.
“In each count he made his plea and thumb printed. The independent witness was present and I endorsed it as the one who was administered to do it,” the witness said.
DPP Yusuf provided the cautionary statements the witness obtained on 13th, 14th and 15th September 2023 and showed them to the witness for his confirmation, which he did, adding that the documents were all part of the files sent to the Attorney General’s Chamber.
The case continues today.
