State lawyers reprimanded

By ZACHERY PER
A MAGISTRATE yesterday reprimanded State lawyers for failing to turn up to court to represent clients, saying they must pull up their socks and do their duty.
Magistrate Cosmos Inkisopo, of the Goroko District Court, voiced his disappointment when lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office who were supposed to represent a woman failed to turn up in court.
“It is unprofessional conduct when lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office (are) not representing them (accused people) when their cases come before the court,” he said.
“I will write to the Public Solicitor raising this concern so we can have this issue rectified.”
He said it was not the first time State lawyers in Goroka had absented themselves where they were supposed to represent citizens who had sought the office’s assistance.
He told them to pull up their socks and perform their duties.
“These lawyers sometimes give excuses (that they are appearing) in the National Court. Well the two (national and district) courts have the same jurisdiction. Both courts are able to send people to jail,” he said.
Inkisopo said it was frustrating to see state lawyer continuously missing court sessions and leaving their clients helpless.
He said when lawyers failed to turn up for cases, their clients would not think too highly of their conduct.
Meanwhile, Inkisopo also warned people accused of family violence offences that the penalty was now more severe.
He said those guilty of committing an offence affecting a wife and children could face up to five years imprisonment with hard labour.
He issued the warning after sentencing a man who broke into a house and assaulted his wife in Asaro, Daulo, Eastern Highlands.
Inkisopo found Steven Mutozo guilty but ordered that he performed any community work as his punishment.