Section 14, The Escheat Ordinance

The Court may in its discretion receive in evidenceaffidavits, affirmations or declarations which may be made before the Master of the Supreme Court or before any person empowered to take affidavits receivable in evidence in the Supreme Court, and if it thinks fit it may by order under the seal thereof appoint and authorise any person, either generally or in any particular matter, to examine any witnesses who shall attend before such person in Sierra Leone or elsewhere out of the Colony, in relation to any application to a matter depending before the Court, and to administer an oath or take affirmations or declarations for the purpose of such examination, but the deponent, affirmant or declarant in every such case shall, on the application of any other party interested in the facts deposed to, be subject to be cross-examined by, or on behalf of, such other party orally in open Court or before any person appointed to take such examination, and after such cross-examination may be re-examined orally in open Court or before such person as aforesaid: Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall render necessary the proof by oath or affidavit or declaration of the execution of any document which, but for this provision, would be receivable as prima facie evidence upon investigation of any title or other proceeding. Compulsory 15. It shall be lawful for the Court to enforce the attendance attendance of witnesses. of witnesses and to have such witnesses examined and evidence taken in any matter depending before it, whether by commission or otherwise, before such person or persons or such tribunal, as under any Statute or Ordinance now in force in this Colony or hereafter to be enacted the Supreme Court rnay have evidence taken and received.