Kota Kinabalu: A 30-year-old man was freed from a charge of having a Samurai sword in public without permit.
Sessions Court Judge Ummu Khaltom Abdul Samad discharged and acquitted Al Shofri Sulaiman after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
Al Shofri was accused of having the sword at 12.50am on March 17, 2019 by the roadside in front of a house in Taman Seri Gaya, Luyang, near here.
The offence under Section 6(1)(a) of the Corrosive, Explosive and Dangerous Weapons Act 1958 carries a jail term of between five and 10 years, and whipping, on conviction.
The prosecution had called five witnesses during the hearing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nidzam Ahmad appeared for the prosecution.
Meanwhile, two men were charged with taking syabu, respectively.
However, no plea was taken from the duo as the chemist’s report is not ready.
Court Registrar Flora Michael Echun released the men on bail of RM1,000 in two local sureties each.
The court set Jan 25 next year for mention.
Inspector Navind Kumar Vijayan prosecuted.
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