Tina Amanda
A High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned for continuation of testimonies by prosecuting witness in the murder case of eight-years-old Eedeebari Littia Gonis, who was allegedly raped and killed by Tombari Eedey Taol, at Bori in Khana local government area of Rivers state.
Recall that eight years Eedeebari Littia was raped to death inside a church building and her body found across the fence of the church a day after.
The Defendant, Tombari Taol, faces a 4-count charge of sexual abuse, exploitation of a child, unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
Counsel to the Defendant while cross-examining the first prosecuting witness, Mr Peter Gonis, who is also the father of the deceased, put it to him that he can not be a witness of truth as he was not present at the scene where his daughter was raped and killed.
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In his response, Peter Gonis told the court that he was not at the scene where his daughter was murdered, but he was present when the Defendant Tombari Eedey Taol confessed to the crime before the Commissioner of Police Rivers State.
He said that the suspect also confessed to committing sexual molestation crimes from the age of four.
He further testified to the court that the suspect had earlier admitted to the crime before the Bori Divisional Police Officer DPO and the pastor in charge of Faith Work Bible Church Bori, where his daughter was raped and killed.
The presiding Judge, Justice Margaret Opara, adjourned to multiple dates, 21st January, 6th, 11th, 19th, 20th and 21st of February for the continuation of hearing.
Franklouisa Ihesiaba, Counsel to the Defendant told our correspondent Tina Amanda, that the first Prosecuting witness testified based on hearsay, adding that the witness was not present at the scene.
“It is not sufficient enough to say somebody committed a crime, you have to prove it and from what the witness has testified so far, it is on hearsay. Nobody saw the suspect commit the crime.
“In law, any evidence that that is hearsay is not really admissible, we want to know who actually saw him commit the crime, we need to test the truth”
Also, Counsel to FIDA, Uhobo Ogu, said by the next adjourned date, the Prosecution Counsel will be bringing their next witness as the first witness has closed his case.
