Zuleika Trial: Court To Rule On Tape Recording Of Incident

An Accra Circuit Court presided over by Madam Ajoa Coleman will rule tomorrow, Sept., 2nd, whether a recording of Mrs. Zulieka Asamoah Boateng, during her alleged struggle with BNI officials at the Kotoka International Airport on June 14th, 2009, could be tendered in as evidence. The decision follows objection raise by Counsel for the accused, Nene Amegatcher, who challenged the authenticity of the recordings which the investigator claims he obtained from Radio Gold, an Accra private radio station. The investigator, Michael Obimpeh Nseibo, was initially reluctant to disclose the source of the tape until the Her Lordship, Madam Ajoa Coleman reminded him that he was under oath, and would face charges for contempt, if he fails to tell the court where he obtained the recording from. Mr Nseibo who investigated the case was taking the stand during the hearing of a case in which Mrs Zuleika Asamoah Boateng is being tried for allegedly assaulting a public officer, insulting a public officer and forceful seizure of a passport from a public officer. She has pleaded not guilty to all three counts of charges preferred against her. Counsel for Mrs. Zulieka Asamoah Boateng, Nene Amegatcher, argued that the original recording of the incident was what the prosecutor was suppose to tender in and not a second recording, which he pointed out could be doctored. He also argued that it was necessary that the source of the tape recording appeared in court and furnished the court details of how they came by the recording. Responding, Supt Abichaba Boye, who is the Prosecutor, contended that the source of the tape recording was an impeccable one and sought to establish that if a judicial request is made for a recording, and the original recording is not available, a duplication can be admitted as evidence and urged the court to accept the tape as evidence. Madam Ajoa Coleman will rule whether the tape recording could be tendered in as evidence or not before Michael Obimpeh Nseibo is cross-examined. Hearing on the case has been fixed for tomorrow, September 2nd. Source: Yaw Obeng-Manu/peacefmonline