By Aminata Phidelia Allie
Four more witnesses yesterday 30 September testified in the preliminary investigations into the alleged rape case against the sacked minister of education, Mahmoud Tarawally.
Testifying behind curtains at the magistrate court No. 2 presided over by Tonia Barnette, a fifth prosecution witness, who identified himself as a friend of the alleged victim’s boyfriend said that he almost arrived home at the same time with her. He said that when a commercial motorbike taxi brought her home he had just parked his vehicle in the compound. He said she was “crying bitterly” and opened the door and went straight into a room where he chased her to find out what had happened.
“When she told me she had had an issue with the accused, I immediately called my friend on phone and he rushed home”.
PW5 explained that after the she had explained to them, her boyfriend advised that the matter be reported to the police, which they did at the New England Ville police station.
He however confirmed that the complainant spoke to a journalist before they left their Circular Road home for the police station.
Another witness, who identified himself as the scene-of-crime-officer, said that he visited the scene of the alleged rape at Kingtom with his line manager and a colleague officer, led by the victim.
At the scene, he said they discovered two brown culture beads on the bed on. He said he took five snapshots of the room.
During cross examination, he also admitted seeing “many pants, none of which the victim claimed” as hers.
Meanwhile, the exhibit clerk has said that he was given for safekeeping two brown hand beads, a black Samsung galaxy phone, a green pair of pants and a comb, which he tendered in court.
An OSD officer, who claimed to have served as the minister’s bodyguard for a year also testified in open court.
The former minister, who was making a fifth appearance in court, is being preliminarily investigated on four counts of rape, wounding with intent, wounding and assault.
The Prosecution will close their case on the adjourned date of Wednesday 2 October.
(C) Politico 01/10/13
