THE sexual harassment case against Kerevat jail commander Mathew Bine, before the Kokopo District Court, was struck out on Tuesday by magistrate Regget Marum.
Earlier, it was reported that Mr Marum had disqualified himself hearing the case because he knew and worked closely with Mr Bine.
Mr Marum on Jan 18, when he first presided over Mr Bine’s case, said he would have to arrange for a neutral magistrate to hear the next case which had been adjourned to Feb 13. Mr Bine was to appear for trial then.
Yesterday Mr Marum struck out Mr Bine’s case because of lack of evidence and because the prosecutor was absent.
The prosecutor in charge of the case was reportedly attending a workshop and another officer from the Kokopo prosecution office had asked for the magistrate to adjourn the case to a later date as all witnesses were not in court.
However, Mr Marum did not accept the explanation.
He said the prosecutor had no excuse to be absent from the case.
“The prosecutor should always be here at the court house before the magistrate, the counsel and his client,” Mr Marum said.
He struck the case out after the prosecutor present declined to prosecute the case.
Mr Bine was charged with allegedly using insulting words against the wife of a warder on Nov 22 last year.

Review conditions of judges: Ipatas

ENGA Governor Peter Ipatas has called for a review of terms and conditions of the National and Supreme Court judges.
Addressing a public church service at Wabag last Friday to mark the opening of the legal year, Mr Ipatas said the National Government should re-look at the terms and conditions of judges including their security arrangement.
He said the safety and comfort of judges were of paramount importance to enable them to perform their constitutional functions and obligations to deliver fair judgement to the people and country.
“We intentionally continue to break the laws and let the judiciary to correct it for us. By doing this, we are giving added responsibilities to the judiciary,” Mr Ipatas said.

Media’s responsibility call

THE media has been urged to be a responsible partner in bringing about positive development to the communities.
It should promote and write about positive developments taking place within the law and justice sector agencies.
A law and justice sector agency media and communication strengthening team headed by the AusAID Law and Justice Sector programme media adviser Joe Kanekane issued the challenge last Monday at a luncheon meeting with members of the media, officers from the Buimo jail, police and Ombudsmen Commission.

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