In the ongoing trial concerning the shooting incident involving Ousainou Bojang, legal counsels are readying their arguments as the proceedings move forward. This phase of the trial, known as voir dire, focuses on determining the admissibility of evidence presented.
During the recent court session, Amie Bojang, the second accused individual, underwent rigorous cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecution, A.M Yusuf. The questioning centered on the circumstances surrounding her arrest and subsequent detention at the anti-crime unit in Banjulding. However, objections were raised by defense counsels, particularly Counsel Lamin Mboge, who deemed certain questions irrelevant to the case. Additionally, Counsel J Darboe objected to the language used by the Director of Public Prosecution, leading to a court ruling to replace certain terms with more neutral language.
Upon the conclusion of cross-examination, Amie Bojang was excused from the witness stand, and Counsel Lamin J Darboe opted not to re-examine her, signifying the end of his case presentation in the mini-trial.
A notable point of contention arose regarding the participation of Counsel Lamin Mboge in addressing the court during the voir dire phase. The Director of Public Prosecution argued against Mboge’s involvement, citing his client’s indirect association with the trial. However, the court upheld Mboge’s right to address the court, emphasizing the principle of fair hearing enshrined in the Constitution.
With the conclusion of witness testimonies, the court allocated specific time slots for each counsel to present their briefs of argument. Counsel Lamin Mboge was allotted 10 minutes, Counsel J Darboe received 20 minutes, and the Director of Public Prosecution was granted 25 minutes. Furthermore, Counsel J Darboe was given an additional 5 minutes to respond to points of law.
The trial proceedings are set to resume on March 4, 2024, pending the submission of the counsels’ briefs of argument. This phase marks a crucial step in the legal process as the court evaluates the evidence presented and moves towards reaching a verdict.