By Lamin Njie
The trial of Bubacarr Keita accused of rape opened on Wednesday nearly two months since the high court in Bundung freed the 29-year-old businessman on bail.
Mr Keita is being tried on allegations he raped his ex-wife’s 16-year-old sister. He denies the allegation.
The trial officially got underway on Wednesday when state prosecutors called their first witness who began her testimony with who she is.
She told the court in the 20-minute brief session she’s a businesswoman who got married in August 2014.
The first witness would continue her testimony on October 20.
Earlier on, state prosecutors had revealed they’d put in an appeal at the Court of Appeal against the decision by the high court to grant bail to Mr Keita. They then revealed the matter could not proceed because the appellate court wasn’t in possession of the records of proceedings.
Judge Momodou SM Jallow said he was surprised to hear the records of proceedings were not typed for the appellate court’s use.
“I have given my instructions for the records of proceedings to be typed,” the judge told state attorneys – and then assured them they’ll make sure they’re typed for the court’s use.
