Warning for Bonner

 By DAPHNE WANI

POLICE lawyer Sam Bonner has been ordered by a Waigani Committal Court not to interfere with police witnesses following his release on Wednesday.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar issued the order yesterday after the disbanded Task Force Sweep Team (TFST) prosecutor Michael Awagl informed the court on Bonner’s bail condition.

Bonner was charged with two counts of stealing, two of conspiring to defraud the state and two of money laundering between April 26, 2007, and May 15, 2007.

Awagl told court that Bonner was out on bail of K2000 on three conditions pursuant to section 17 of the Bail Act. 

The conditions were that Bonner was not to interfere with police witnesses, report to the court once a week and not to provide legal advice to the police hierarchy.

His lawyer, Dickson Bon, told court that bail had been set by police and there was no point reviewing the conditions.

Bon said his client had briefed another lawyer to represent the police. 

Magistrate Bidar said the second condition was not necessary.

Bon later asked the court to disqualify prosecutor Awagl and allow for another prosecutor who was not part of TFST. 

Bidar refused, saying Awagl was a police prosecutor and would continue his role. 

He asked Bon to make a proper application regarding the issues he raised.

Bonner appeared for mention yesterday and the court set the hearing of the substantive matter on Sept 

12.