Sierra Leone

The Criminal Procedure Act

PART III – PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS

116. Immediately after the accuses shall so have had opportunity of making his answer to the charge, the Court shall ask him whether he desires to give evidence on his own behalf and whether he desires to call any witnesses, and the evidence of the accused together with the depositions of such witnesses as the accused shall call, and who shall appear on his behalf, shall then be taken in like manner as in the case of the witnesses for the prosecution.

117. If the accused states that he has witnesses to call, but that they are not present in Court, and the Court is satisfied that the absence of the witnesses is not due to any fault of the accused, and that there is a likelihood that they could, if present, give material evidence on his behalf, the Court may adjourn the investigation and issue process, or take other steps, to compel the attendance of such witnesses.

Keywords

Fair trial standards
Rights during trial - examine witnesses
Rights during trial - raise defences
Rights during trial - unsworn oral or written statement in defence



EDIT.