Ex-MP’s case set for trial

By SCHOLAR KASSAS
A COURT has told a lawyer, who sought more time to complete a defence submission, that the case would move to the National Court regardless of what was contained in it.
Magistrate Billy Pidu said this in the Waigani Committal Court on Thursday after the lawyer of former member of Madang Alois Kingsley asked the court for an adjournment for his defence submission.
“Time was wasted on sitting on the cases for defence submission when a ruling was already made,” he said.
“Whatever Kingsley decide on the defence submission cannot change the evidence,” Magistrate Pidu said.
Police prosecutor Snr Sgt Joseph Sangam told the court that the case was delayed because the defence wanted a written judgment and after that was given they were stalling the process by “consulting their consultants”.
Sangam said the section 96 statement was supposed to be administered in court.
“Whatever arguments, the defence had should be heard in the trial proper and it is not for this court to decide,” he said.
He appealed to the court that this would be a final adjournment for the section 96 statement and if the defence did not make any submission on the adjourned date the prosecution would assume the defence wished to remain silent.
Magistrate Pidu then adjourned the case to May 25 to hear its section 96 statement and ruled on the prosecutions application.
Kingsley from Yobob village in Madang was charged with six charges, two counts each of stealing, forgery and uttering.
The court found enough evidence on all six charges on March 9, 2022, and since then the matter had been adjourned for the defence submission.