Court refuses to dismiss charges

LAE senior magistrate Pious Tapil has refused to dismiss all criminal charges against Madang town mayor Ismael Yama and seven others.
Magistrate Tapil on Wednesday rejected the application of the eight men seeking to dismiss all proceedings and charges.
The defendants are Yama, 29, from Madang’s Usino-Bundi and who is also Madang Governor Peter Yama’s son, Mathew Madeler, 33, from East New Britain’s Rabaul, Kapinias Umong, from East New Britain, Philemon Albert, 25, from East New Britain, Pedro Tobi, 22, from Morobe, Henry Michael, 30, from Madang, Philip Tamor, 26, from Madang and Tim Willie, 28, from Eastern Highlands.
Yama and two others are charged with dangerous drug (marijuana) possession.
The men had appeared in court on Aug 14, 2019, charged with possession of dangerous drug, possession of an unlicensed firearm, live ammunition and possession of pornographic materials.
Magistrate Tapil dismissed the motion by the defence counsel after prosecutor Sergeant Vincent Suakai explained why the case was prolonged.
“All parties involved in this case are to blame,” he added.
He said the fault was with the courts, prosecution, defence counsel and the defendants.
Suakai pointed out that on several court mention dates, the defence lawyer and his clients did not show up in court, despite the prosecution’s attempts to contact them. The prosecution asked the court not to dismiss the case and proceed go into trial.
Magistrate Tapil then fixed March 14 for trial to begin.