Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbake of the Kanifing Magistrates Court, on Wednesday, expressed bitterness over the unnecessary absenteeism of case witnesses.

Senior Magistrate Mbake made these remarks after he had adjourned a number of cases as a result of the absence of witnesses whose testimonies are required in order to expedite the court’s judgement.  He observed that witnesses, especially in criminal cases, are notorious for “backing out” of cases.

He expressed his wrath at this attitude, saying “this is intolerable, we have to force them to come to court to give their testimonies, which would help the court and the police, otherwise criminality will soon become a way of life of people”. He revealed that once a witness is involved in a case, especially a criminal case, they are obliged by law to come to court and testify.

“If you report any matter to the police, if the case is taken to court, you are required to come to court to give your testimony so as to expedite the court’s judgement and also establish justice,” he reiterated.