Leaders warned

By ELIAS NANAU
JUSTICE Colin Makail has warned Lagaip-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape and his petitioner, Philip Kikala, that they will be held responsible for any election petition violence emanating from the trial in Wabag, Enga.
Makail gave the two leaders in court last Friday the heads up after Mangape’s lawyer raised issues of safety in Wabag and suggested the trial be moved to Mt Hagen.
“Our client’s (Mangape) witnesses are not confident of their safety,” the lawyer had told the judge.
This prompted Makail to inquire why that should be the case, when there was a resident judge and a court house in Wabag.
“Mr Kikala and Mr Mangape, both of you are in court,” Makail said.
“I advise you both now. There is a resident judge and court house in Wabag. You must be proud.
“We have worked hard and spent money to build houses. Make use of the court house. You are leaders, control your supporters,” he said.
Makail added that the outcome of the case would be determined by the trial judge.
“For the benefit, I don’t know the outcome of the case,” the judge said.
“The truth as to what happened during the election will be revealed at some stage.
“I am not inclined to send this case to Mt Hagen. It has its own backlog of cases.”
Makail said the court could issue restraining orders to keep the peace while the trial continued.
The trial is expected to take a month, with Kikala to call 52 witnesses and Mangape 69.
The Electoral Commission, identified as the first respondent, is however still delayed in furnishing documents with information about electoral rolls and registered polling places.
Kikala’s lawyer said one of the issues raised included shortage of ballot papers and the electoral documents to assist the court.