Sunday, May 3, 2015

Remember that slow-moving court-martial in Sierra Leone?

Judge Advocate Otto During
It's still going on. The latest development, reported here, is that the trial had to be put off for another two weeks because the prosecutor was not prepared to make his closing argument:
. . . Lead prosecutor Major Vincent Sowa was supposed to have addressed the court martial after the defence lawyers closed their case two weeks ago. 
However according to Major Sowa, the prosecution could not proceed with their address due to delay in their administrative work to prepare their statements. 
He therefore urged Judge Advocate [Otto] During, under the court martial rule 2003 to grant him another two weeks adjournment. 
The Judge Advocate granted the prosecutor his application for adjournment stating that prosecution should ensure he addresses on the next adjourned date so that the defence can start theirs immediately. 
The court martial was adjourned for 13 May 2015.
The judge advocate also directed that one of the accused be afforded medical attention -- and then returned to confinement. 

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