In a dramatic turn of events at the High Court, Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, representing the first accused, Ousainou Bojang, in the ongoing alleged police shooting trial, has filed an application to subpoena three high-profile state officials.
The officials named in the application are Ebrima G. Sankareh, Government Spokesperson; Babucarr Jeng, National Security Adviser; and Momodou Sowe, Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Counsel Darboe’s application seeks to compel the officials to appear before Justice Jaiteh and provide statements regarding remarks they allegedly made in the public sphere concerning Ousainou Bojang’s case.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) vehemently objected to the application. The DPP argued that Counsel Darboe failed to specify where those alleged statements were made or to produce any such statements before the court as evidence.
Supporting the application, Counsel A. Sillah, representing the second accused Amie Bojang, aligned with Counsel Darboe’s submission. Counsel Sillah clarified that the court recognizes two types of summons: “Subpoena ad testificandum,” which compels a person to appear and testify in court, and “Subpoena duces tecum,” which requires a person to produce documents.
Counsel Sillah further asserted the court’s inherent power to compel any sound-minded witness to either produce documents or testify before the court.
Justice Jaiteh has stood down for 10 minutes to deliver a ruling. The court’s decision on the application is now keenly awaited.
