Magistrate: Leave us alone

By BOURA GORUKILA
A MAGISTRATE has warned relatives of accused people that it is wrong and improper to try to discuss the case with the magistrate or judge hearing it.
Waigani Magistrate Cosmas Bidar sounded the warning in court after a woman claiming to be the sister of suspended Commerce and Trade Secretary Andrew Liliura went to the magistrate’s home to see him.
“Shortly after the court had ruled on this case on Jan 8, I had a visitor at my house claiming to be the sister of the defendant, wanting to see me,” he said.
“I did not see her but told my son to tell her to go away.
“It is not proper. She will find herself in a lot of problem.
“You can’t go and see a magistrate or a judge handling a case (you have interest in).”
He said he had been a magistrate for 40 years.
“This is not right.
“I just want to inform the court that if your case is being dealt with by a magistrate or judge, you don’t go and see them as it’s against the law,” he said.
Liliura, facing sex-related charges, filed his Section 96 statement after the committal court had ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
He is facing four counts of sexual touching, three counts of sex and two counts of compelling to touch.
The case was adjourned to Feb 5.