Defence Counsel Francis B Kaifala on Thursday continued with his cross examination of Minister Diana F Konomanyi in the Freetown High Court stating that the respondent in the Bigamy trial Alie Kabba and his former wife Edith Kabba did agree on an oral dissolution of their marriage in the USA.
According to Kaifala his client was granted an oral dissolution divorce in July 2013 by the Illinois County Court in Chicago agreed by both parties involved stating its legality in the USA and using authorities from the 99 pages of divorce proceedings of the Illinois County Court.
He said the only issues his client was faced with in terms of his divorce to his first wife was the issue of child maintenance and property sharing which went for a lengthy period because of investigations. Kaifala furthered that it was on that basis that Alie Kabba did get married to the complainant knowing fully that he was divorced.
“A decree of absolute was granted on 13th September 2013”, Kaifala said.
However Diana denied knowledge of Kabba’s divorce procedures in the USA and maintained that she was not aware of any investigations of child support.
“Before our marriage he informed me about his divorce and demands the first wife made but never told me anything about child support and property sharing”.
She said after consulting with her lawyers and investigators she decided to report her former husband to the police for Bigamy because she was convinced that Kabba did not divorce his first wife.
Responding to questions whether she followed up Kabba’s statement at the police that he should be allowed to produce his documents, Konomanyi said she did not follow his statement to prove whether he was telling the truth.
By Mariam S Bah
Friday August 12, 2016
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