The First Defendant in the on Going Treason trial,

Rtd Major Alfred Palo Conteh has confirmed in cross examination that all what he told the police and said on his defense last Friday, before the Jury are absolute truth.

The First Defendant who was cross examined by state prosecutor Adrian Fisher confirmed that he was in possession of Arms and Ammunition on the 19th of March, 2020 for the Glock 17 pistol.

Adrian Fisher was about to question the First Defendant about his personal life when defense counsel A.O Conteh interjected on the grounds that it was not professional for him, the prosecutor to impun the credibility of the Defendant.

When questioned as to why he came back to the country in 2018, First Defendant said he came to defend himself at the Commission of inquiry on allegation in relation to the Ebola Response Center, where he serve diligently as the head.

State prosecutor Fisher was about to delved on the issue of the white paper when second defense counsel Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara objected on the grounds that Mr. Fisher should cross examine the witness on what was before the court.

The way of cross examination by the prosecutor was overruled by the Bench who admonished him to go by what was before the court , a case of Treason.

The First Defendant also confirmed that he was a gallant solider who at one time during his tenure as Minister of Internal Affairs wages war on Cliques.

Upon reaching that point, second Defense counsel Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara raised another objection on the grounds that the prosecutor was basing his cross examination on the character of the Defendant which according to him was against the rules of evidence.

Testing his defense further by state prosecutor Adrian Fisher, the First Defendant denied being emotional on Friday whilst defending himself to gain sympathy from the Jury.

He said he always move with his personal weapon and on the date of the alleged incident, he voluntarily handed it over to the security at the gate.

The Defendant when questioned as to wether he had at anytime subjected to any threat, he responded in the negative. He said he never feel insecure at State House, but moving from his house to the place was risky.

When questioned why he took the pistol to State House, he responded before the jam parked court that he did not take it their for the president , that why he dropped it at the reception desk before going upstairs.

The Defendant also stated that he was not aware of law prohibiting the carrying of weapon to State House. He said he know the security strength at State House and will not carry out such act as alleged with a Glock 17 pistol.

The prosecution gfurther questioned him about the year he was enlisted in the army and he responded that he entered the army in 1976 and was sacked in 1992 when his uncle Joseph Saidu Momoh was over thrown by former Captain Valentine E.M Starsser, Lieutenants Maada Bio, and others.

“My action of taking the pistol to State House was not pre meditated to what happen in 1992,” First Defendant replied in cross examination.

Putting a question to him prior to the 19th of March 2020, he relied that politically if not for the issue of the COVID 19, he could not have been in a meeting with the president.

In another question directed to him by the prosecutor in relation of his tenure as Minister, the First Defendant response that as the then Minister of Defense, he only deals with strategy area.

When asked on how he possessed both pistols, a controversial point targeted by the Prosecution, First Defendant said the Glock 17 was bought  by his friend whiles the Glock 21 was given to him by the nephew who is a serving member of the US Army.

By Osman Karim Conteh