State prosecutor Lawyer Yusuf Sulaiman Koroma has accused Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Steven of causing significant delays in drug-related cases at the High Court. The allegations arose on Monday, September 13, when a prosecution witness did not attend the court hearing scheduled before Justice Augustine K. Musa.
Koroma explained that ASP Steven, the sole forensic expert for these cases, has repeatedly failed to appear in court to testify since his promotion from Police Constable to ASP. He highlighted that despite a subpoena compelling Steven to testify, the officer has been absent.
“This has been his consistent behaviour, even before other judges in similar cases, which I view as a deliberate disrespect to the court,” Koroma told the judge.
Koroma added that he had informed various authorities, including the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, about the situation. He noted that all other witnesses have provided testimony, leaving ASP Steven as the last remaining one, whose absence continues to hinder the prosecution.
“It’s an institutional issue that needs to be addressed by the Judiciary,” Koroma remarked.
Justice Musa described the drug situation as a public emergency and voiced his frustration over the ongoing delays. He stressed that one individual should not be able to obstruct court proceedings by refusing to appear.
“Tell him I pity him. I won’t take an adverse position, but I view his conduct poorly, and I will not accept it lightly,” Justice Musa warned.
The case involving the State and Madiana Fayia, along with other drug-related matters, has been postponed to October 8 due to ASP Steven’s absence. The defendants remain in remand.
