-elections fraud case adjourned to May 20
-by Kimberly Giddings
During today’s proceedings in the elections fraud trial at the Georgetown Magistrates Court, key witness Bibi Anieshaw Mohamed took the stand and faced a three-way cross-examination from the defense, by the end of which she had maintained her previous testimony.
Tensions flared in court on Monday as disagreement emerged over the handling of witness testimony in the ongoing election fraud case. During the cross-examination by the defense, Bibi Anieshaw Mohamed stuck to her testimony as she presented analysis charts connected to the tabulation process during the 2020 general and regional elections.
The court heard that the witness identified changes in figures and discrepancies in numbers, which prosecutors allege pointed to attempts to manipulate election results during the 2020 elections. The morning proceedings were meanwhile interrupted by an objection to an application seeking a re-examination of the witness at a later date.
The prosecution informed the court that although the witness had already completed giving evidence, one of the prosecutors had not been present for portions of the testimony, thus requiring time to review the evidence.
Defense attorney Darren Wade opposed the request, arguing that prosecutors who had remained present throughout the proceedings were capable of continuing, having heard the testimony firsthand. The prosecution, however, maintained that additional time was necessary to properly review the evidence before moving ahead with the re-examination process.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the delays in the case. The court heard that on at least two occasions, the defense was unavailable for cross-examination, even though prosecutors had brought witnesses to testify. The matter was ultimately adjourned to Wednesday, May 20, when a registrar of the Supreme Court, Sueana Lovell, is expected to testify.