By Sarjo M Camara
The mini trial or trial within a trial of three UDP supporters in Sukuta continued at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court continued on 
Tuesday, 19 July 2016.
The defence had objected to the admission of the cautionary statements of the accused persons, arguing that they were not obtained voluntarily.
Yesterday, an ‘independent witness’ testified before Magistrate Momodou S Jallow in the mini trial to assist the court in its investigation into whether or not the statements were obtained voluntarily.
One Mr. Mbye Bojang was the ‘independent witness’ who testified in court yesterday. He purportedly witnessed the taking of the statements by police officers from the accused persons as an independent person with no vested interest in the matter.
In his testimony, he was asked by the presiding magistrate, Mr Jallow to give an account of where he knew accused persons, what he does for a living, whether he can recognise both accused persons and where he resides.
In response, he informed the court that he recognises both accused persons whom he knew at Bulldozer or fondly called Holgam. The ‘independent witness’ further stated that he is a hotelier and resides at Kanifing. At this juncture the case was adjourned till 3 August 2016.
The inspector general of police was represented by ASP Amadou Keita, the Defense Counsel Fatty was not in court.
The three accused, Ebrima Keita, Musa Fofana and Alasana Jallow, are from Sukuta and were arrested and prosecuted on sedition charges. All of them are on bail after the court granted their bail application in May.
