By JULIA DAIA BORE
ACTING Public Prosecutor Jack Pambel and two of his officers were cleared of contempt charges by the National Court on Wednesday.
Justice Derek Hartshorn said there was not enough evidence to suggest that they were in contempt of court.
Justice Hartshorn said that for the most part, the evidence presented by the Registrar of the Supreme and National Courts was hearsay.
“The only evidence in support of the charges is that of the registrar’s. To my mind, this evidence is not sufficient and for the most part appears to be hearsay,” he said.
“Accordingly, I find the respondents are not guilty of the charges contained in the statement of charge.”
Mr Pambel, deputy public prosecutor Camillus Sambua and administrative officer Dorothy Kakot were charged by the registrar last June on the directions of Justice Mark Sevua.
It was alleged that they had “deliberately or unintentionally failed to make circuit arrangements” to enable a person or persons from the Public Solicitor’s Office to attend and prosecute criminal cases listed before the Kokopo National Court circuit, which commenced on June 4 last year.
It was alleged that by failing to do so, they had interfered with the administration of justice and brought the integrity of the court into disrepute.
Justice Hartshorn said the clerk of the Kokopo court or Justice Sevua’s associate should have filed an affidavit to state what transpired and whether there was any communication with any of the respondents, staff or lawyers at the local public prosecutor’s office.