CPIB statements were made under duress: law prof in sex-for-grades trial

CPIB statements were made under duress: law prof in sex-for-grades trial

SINGAPORE: The law professor involved in the sex-for-grades corruption trial testified that his statements to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) were made under duress.

Tey Tsun Hang, 41, told the court on Monday that the CPIB officers badgered him to confess, threatened him, swore at him, called him names and humiliated him when he was under investigation.

Tey faces allegations of obtaining gratification in the form of gifts and sex from former student Darinne Ko in return for giving her better grades between May and July 2010.

On Monday morning, CPIB Deputy Director, Teng Khee Fatt, took the stand.

He was questioned by Tey, who was conducting his own defence.

Tey accused Mr Teng of conducting an extensive probe on him during his time at CPIB and as well as piling threats on him.

Mr Teng denied all accusations.

Tey charged that if Mr Teng had not threatened him, the two-and-a-half page long statement would not have taken more than an hour to read.

Mr Teng however denied any wrongdoing.

Later in the day, Tey recounted, on the witness stand, his experiences with the CPIB officers.

Tey said that the CPIB officers had threatened to haul his wife into the station for questioning, as well as inform the National University of Singapore about the case so that they would dock his pay.

He also said that the officers had threatened to have both his and his wife’s permanent residency status terminated.

Currently, the hearing is known as a "trial within a trial".

Tey is contesting the admissibility of his CPIB statements, which he maintains were made under duress.

The court will decide if his statements are admissible at the end of the “trial within a trial”.

After this, the main trial will start.

Tey will continue to testify on Tuesday.

- CNA/xq/jc

- wong chee tat :)