Councillors fail to appear in court

A LETTER presented by council representing Ismael Yama and seven others at the Lae Committal Court on Friday will be the subject of the next hearing set for Sept 30, a magistrate says.
Senior District Court Magistrate Pious Tapil made the remarks after all defendants failed to appear in court following a reason stated in the letter that all eight defendants attended a swearing-in ceremony in Madang.
Police prosecutor Vincent Suakai made an application under Section 21 of the Bail Act seeking the court to revoke their bail and for the defendants arrested and detained.
Tapil proceeded to the revoke bail of defendants Philip Tambor, 23, of Dugulava in Bogia, Madang; Tim Willie, 28, from Kompri, Kainantu, Eastern Highlands; Kapinias Junior Umong of Kapakaga, Rabaul; East New Britain, Philemon Albert, 23, from Malaguna, Rabaul, East New Britain; Pedro Tobi, 21, from Wain, Nawaeb, Morobe; and, Hendry Michael, 18, from Yabob, in Madang.
Warrant of arrests and warrant of remand were issued to all suspects while elected councillors Ismael Yama and Matthew Madeler had their National Court bail extended.
The court made this decision after taking into consideration that Yama and Madeler were excused as elected LLG leaders.
Tapil further questioned the council representing them regarding the validity of the letter as to why it had to be presented at the last minute in court and not properly filed earlier.
“At the next mention, the court will confirm if the letter is valid and if not, the court will issue warrant of arrests for the two elected councillors as well,” he said.
He added that the cost of the five State witnesses flown in from Madang to attend to court would be met by Yama and Madeler.
It was alleged that on Aug 8, between 11am and 12 noon, the defendants were intercepted by Lae police at Milford Haven Road, near Lae Football Association (LFA) club.
Police searched their vehicle and found marijuana, confiscated one factory-made pistol, 15 live 9mm bullets and pornographic materials in two of the suspects’ phones.
When police questioned the suspects about the drugs, no one owned up resulting in all eight suspects charged with possession of marijuana.