Lawyer charged with attempting to prevent justice

A LAWYER appeared in court yesterday facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Samuel Olewale, who has been representing National Statistician Roko Koloma, appeared for mention before Magistrate Alex Kalandi at the Committal court in Waigani.
The case was adjourned to Sept 7 to allow police to complete their investigation.
Olewale, of Shannel Lawyers, is from Kunini in the South Fly district of Western. He was arrested last Friday after his application to have the warrant of arrest for Koloma revoked or stayed by the National Court was refused.
Police allege that Olewale had filed the same application at the Committal Court in Waigani on April 23.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar had refused the stay order application on June 27.
Olewale had earlier filed the same application in the civil court, which Magistrate Ernest Wilmot, of the Port Moresby district court, granted.
Police allege that after his application was refused on June 27, Olewale applied for a stay order from the National Court in Waigani.
Police allege that Olewale was contacted by NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’dranou on June 27 to bring Koloma for an interview with the police. But it did not happen.
Olewale then filed another ex-parte motion at the National Court seeking to stay the warrants of arrests for Koloma. It was refused by the National Court on Aug 3.
The court told Olewale to appear in court on the dates and times set and that he must not leave Port Moresby unless the court approved it.