By Binta A Bah
Two men accused of stealing more than D48,000 have been acquitted and discharged by the Bundung Magistrates’ Court after a seven-month long trial.
Magistrate Dawda Phatey observed that the prosecution failed to establish chain of circumstances leading to the guilt of the accused persons, following the closure of the prosecution’s case.
Austim Igbo and Muhammed Kujabi were on trial on two charges of breaking with intent to commit felony and stealing. They were accused of breaking into the shop of one Ebrima Sori Bah last October and stole more than D48,000 with other items. They have always denied the charges.
The prosecution in its case called two witnesses, the complainant and a police officer and tendered exhibits. However, the magistrate held that both witnesses failed to indicate how the accused broke into the complainant’s shop. He said the prosecution also failed to provide sufficient elements to prove that the accused persons committed the said crimes.
“Having found that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, I therefore acquit and discharge the accused persons,’ the magistrate ruled.
