Ele’s lawyer wants video footage

Christopher Townsend, the lawyer for dancehall artiste Elephant Man, says he plans to request video footage of his client in the immigration area at the Sangster International Airport in March.

Elephant Man has been charged with breaches to the Immigration Act. He appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court via teleconference last Friday and the matter was adjourned until September.

"I have asked for disclosure of the Crown's statement and any documentation they intend to use in the prosecution. I am also going to write requesting the footage from that area of immigration where the incident took place so we can discern what really went on," Townsend said.

The artiste faced harsh criticism following news that he withheld critical information from immigration officers following his return to Jamaica last month from Germany. He has been accused of lying on his immigration form by failing to declare that he had visited countries affected by the coronavirus.

Voice note

In a voice note that circulated widely on social media, an immigration officer said that when Elephant Man arrived at the Sangster International Airport on a flight from Brussels, Belgium, but declared on his form that he was in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She said that he was asked whether he was in Germany and the entertainer said no, and did not declare it on his form.

In an interview with THE STAR, Elephant Man, whose given name is Oneil Bryan, apologised to the airport staff, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and the people of Jamaica for potentially exposing them to the new coronavirus.

However, Townsend said that Elephant Man, "Was a little bit premature in his broadcast, which may have made him sound like he might be guilty."

"But sometimes you think that you are and you're not. When we review the footage we will see if there is a defence that needs to be explored. If there is a defence, it will be explored. If there is nothing to defend, I will advise my client directly."