Crime Focus

The Court is not hell (III)

 

By Saliu Woru Mohammed

The last stage you have to undergo in your evidence is “Re-examination” this stage is meant for the prosecution to correct any damages a Prosecution Witness might have caused during the Cross Examination. For you as a prosecution witness, you have to be attentive to all the questions and understood same to enable you achieve the aims and objectives of “Re-examination”.
My dear readers, there are many ways that I and you can contribute positively to administration of justice and one of such ways is by giving unbiased evidence whenever you are called upon to do so. Crime prevention and detection is the collective responsibility of the citizenry. I wish to remind you that while in the witness box; you must watch the Presiding Judge as he writes, to ensure that your evidence is recorded perfectly since judges in this country still write in long hand. If you consider a question provocative, inclusive or not well presented, the Judge is there to protect you by asking you not to answer the question.
In a nutshell, it is a crime to insult or abuse Prosecutor or Defense Counsels same to the Presiding Judge, doing so may land the offenders in trouble hence you have to exercise great restraint while in court. Having completed evidence in court, you are not yet done with the case unless you are discharged by the Presiding Judge. Therefore, failure to attend court while duly served with summons is tantamount to an offence punishable under the law. It is pertinent to remind you that the Court Registrar, Clerk, Bailiff as well as police orderly and others are important officers of the court who must be accorded due respect and honour by the witness. In case of court bailiff, you have to collect the court summons duly served on you without any argument; failure to do so is disrespectful to the authority of the court which can attract severe punishment.
Lastly, a court is not a hell rather it is a place where justice and fair play is dispensed. You must therefore not be afraid of going to court when there is a need for you to do so.
This piece cannot be completed without paying my unalloyed commendation to the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot Newspapers, Alhaji Billy Adedamola and his entire staff for their recent well deserved award and commendation by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) as the best Newspaper of the year and urge the management to continue in this best plight and not to rest on their oars.
Please accept my warm congratulations.
Happy ready, catch you next week.

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