Expert helped to analyse data in pen drive, cop tells Ebit Lew’s trial

Preacher Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew, or Ebit Lew, faces 11 charges, including defaming the modesty of a woman by sending obscene words and pictures to the victim’s phone. (Bernama pic)

TENOM: The police forensic unit appointed an expert to review data obtained from cybersecurity company LGMS Bhd and stored on a pen drive, a prosecution witness said in the sexual harassment trial involving preacher Ebit Erawan Ibrahim Lew, or Ebit Lew.

The 18th prosecution witness, investigating officer Noor Asyikin Shamsuri, 46, told the Tenom magistrates’ court that the expert was Yip Chang Ching, a computer forensic analyst with the police, and the eighth witness in the case.

Noor Asyikin said this while answering questions from Ebit Lew’s lawyer, Ram Singh, during cross-examination, before Magistrate Nur Asyraf Zolhani.

She added that she had also accessed the flash drive to transfer data from LGMS but did not review all its contents, noting that additional data could be obtained from Yip if needed.

Noor Asyikin: In this case, the information sought included any data, information, images or conversations of a sexual nature.

Ram: Do you agree that the police forensic unit could extract deleted messages from the complainant?

Noor Asyikin: Partially, yes.

Ebit Lew, 38, faces 11 charges, including defaming the modesty of a woman by sending obscene words and pictures via WhatsApp to the victim in her 40s, between March and June last year.

He is charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The trial, which began in September 2022, has heard testimony from 18 prosecution witnesses. Proceedings will resume on Nov 24-25.