Prosecution’s failure sees suspect walk free

By JAMES GUMUNO
A COURT has dismissed a case against a woman charged with forging police clearance forms because the police prosecution failed to file court documents in the required time.
Magistrate Donald Joseph also ordered in the Mt Hagen Committal Court that Dorin Dege’s bail money of K2,000 be reimbursed.
The case had to be adjourned six times because the police could not submit to the court the documents needed to progress it.
When the case was called on May 27, Magistrate Joseph told prosecutor Sergeant Paul Urangian to submit the file on June 3. He failed to do that telling the court that the investigating officer had passed away and that matter be ceased.
Dege was arrested on March 4 for allegedly forging police clearance forms.
Joseph however warned Dege that police may re-arrest her and charge her again.
“Do not think that the case is over,” Joseph said.
He told the court that Dege had a right under the constitution to a trial within a reasonable time.
“Three to four months is a reasonable time for small cases,” he said.
“For some bigger cases, five months is also reasonable to have the files ready.”