For perpetual absence of witnesses high court judge cautions state counsel

Freetown High Court Judge, justice Sam Margai has cautioned prosecuting State Counsel, A.H.M Bockarie for the continuous absence of his witnesses to testify on series of cases before the court for trial.

The outburst of the learned Judge on past Wednesday came about when most of the matters mentioned by the State Counsel saw the absence of his witnesses to testify.

According to the judge, the situation was responsible for the slow pace of the trial. Justice Margai added that it will be unfair to the accused persons who are mostly held at the male correctional service home to continue attending court only for the court to be told that his witnesses were not present in court. He furthered that they have to protect the image of the court and that it is the business of the prosecuting counsel to tell his witnesses that their matters are before the High Court which should not be taken as a joke.

At one point, the State Counsel told the Judge that a server went to serve a witness a subpoena but did not receive it. Another explanation given by the State Counsel on a particular case was that he could not traced an exhibit to the said matter but quickly stated that he will take the issue with acting Master and Registrar, Mr Stephen Yayah Mansaray.

BY KAI KARGBO

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