No date has been fixed to continue hearing evidences on the case of the men accused of ransacking a logging camp in Isabel, back in 2012.
The matter of Christopher Bako, Derrick Bako and James Bako, David Bako and Benjamin Putu was therefore further adjourned to May 26.
The adjournment was made to allow the defence counsels to appear personally in court to set a date for the continuation of the trial.
Public Solicitor’s Lawyer, Henry Kausimae was engaged at the Court of Appeal and Anderson Kesaka of DNS & Partners was sick and therefore could not attend yesterday’s mention of the case in court.
Police Prosecutor Moses Reani asked for the adjournment to allow the lawyers to appear before the court in person.
However, he informed the court of Mr Kesaka’s proposed date that was provided to him is August.
But given that Mr Kausimae did not appear in court and gave no instructions, Deputy Chief Magistrate Shepherd Lapo had to adjourn the matter.
Prosecution has three more witnesses to call before closing its case.
All the accused are facing charges of unlawful assembly, intimidation, wilful and unlawful damage, store break-in and simple larceny.
Police alleged the men went to Bagahe Log Pond on December 28, 2012 and destroyed machineries operating at the company site.
The machines were owned by Glengrow (SI) Ltd.
The men allegedly broke into the camp’s canteen and into the camp manager’s house, where they stole goods and other valuable properties.
This was after the men were not happy with the company ignoring a High Court injunction order and continued its operation on a disputed land.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
