Officials released on bail

By KARO JESSE
THE Supreme Court yesterday released two Lands Department senior officials on K1,000 bail each on grounds that the duo were denied their fundamental right of a fair hearing to explain their contempt charges.
Justice Panuel Mogish ruled that the conviction of the duo had greatly tarnished their reputation as senior public servants and the applicants in their affidavit claimed that they were never aware of the court orders.
Both department secretary Benjamin Samson and his deputy Oswald Tolopa were held responsible by the National Court for the department’s failure in serving court files to help in proceedings on a disputed plot in Hohola.
They were arrested and charged with contempt of court.
Last Wednesday, Samson and Tolopa were released from Correctional Services custody on temporary bail by Mogish.
Justice Mogish ordered that both be granted a bail of K1,000 each and to report to court on the first Monday of January. He also ordered Samson to continue residing in
Taurama and Tolopa to continue staying in his residence in Boroko.
Both were also cautioned to refrain from interfering with State witnesses.
The officers were released following their application for bail by their lawyer, Grace Nindil-Awesa from the solicitor-general’s office.