Drug Cases Adjourned After Final Prosecution Witness Misses High Court Hearing

Several drug-related cases before the High Court have been adjourned to October 8 after ASP Joseph Steven failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on September 13.

State prosecutor Lawyer Yusuf Sulaiman Koroma told the court that Steven’s absence had contributed significantly to delays in the prosecution of the cases. Steven is attached to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit and has been identified as the forensic expert in the matters.

According to Koroma, all other prosecution witnesses had already testified, leaving Steven as the final witness required to complete the prosecution’s evidence. He said Steven did not attend despite a subpoena ordering him to give evidence.

Prosecutor raises institutional concerns

Koroma alleged that Steven had repeatedly declined to appear in court since his promotion from Police Constable to Assistant Superintendent of Police. He described the conduct as a continuing problem affecting drug-related proceedings.

“This has been his attitude, even before other Judges presiding over drug-related matters, and I see his action as deliberate and disrespectful to the court,” Koroma said.

The prosecutor also said the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions were aware of the situation. He described Steven as the only forensic expert involved in the cases and said his continued absence had stalled the proceedings.

“It is an institutional issue that has to be taken up with the Judiciary,” Koroma said.

Judge expresses frustration

Justice Augustine K. Musa expressed frustration over the delay and described the drug situation as a public emergency. He said it was unacceptable for an individual to hold up court proceedings by refusing to appear.

Addressing the absent witness, Justice Musa said: “Tell him that I pity him…I don’t want to take an adverse position, but I take a dim view of his conduct, and I will not take it easy with him.”

The cases were consequently adjourned to October 8. The matter involving the State and Madiana Fayia was among those listed for the later hearing.

The allegations concerning Steven’s conduct were made by the State prosecutor. No response from Steven was provided in the supplied report.