PROSECUTION is still waiting for the medical report in relation to the case of the man who allegedly injured one of the prisoners who escaped from the Auki Correctional Centre on New Year’s night.
The matter of Andrew Ofotalau was adjourned from the last occasion to yesterday to allow prosecution to obtain the medical report of the alleged victim.
Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu however, told the court yesterday that prosecution has not yet received the medical report as they are facing an issue with the doctor.
She said the issue is in relation to the medical practitioner who refused to write the medical report.
Ms Ratu said doctor Micky Olangi in a letter had stated he will not assist police officers or write the letter until police respond to his letter.
The content of that letter was not revealed in court yesterday.
Ms Ratu told the court that she explained to Dr Olangi it is important as it is his duty to treat the accused and to write the medical report but he somehow maintained his position.
She said they are running out of option but had discussed with his colleagues and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers to write to the superintendent or the Medical & Dental Board about the behaviour of Dr Olangi.
She added that when the incident on this matter occurred, Dr Olangi was the first to attend to the accused before they were transferred to the National Referral Hospital.
But Ms Ratu is yet to get a response from the CID as yet as they had talked about this issue on Friday last week.
As a result of this issue, Ms Ratu sought a further adjournment.
Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea granted the adjournment and further adjourned the matter to April 18.
This is to allow prosecution to follow up on the medical report with the doctors at Kilufi’i and the National Referral hospital.
Ofotalau is facing one count of attempted murder.
Prosecution alleged that he injured Francis Tagumani with a knife on January 3.
Francis Tagumani and Michael Obea allegedly escaped on New Year’s night from Auki Correctional Centre and were recaptured on the night of January 3 at Sisikwae Village.
Prosecution alleged the duo arrived at Sisikwae village and asked for the direction of a road up to Kwaeree River.
Both of them had injuries sustained from the Auki Correctional Centre fence.
By afternoon they return back to the village suffering from those injuries.
It was alleged they came to a bush garden and met a couple and asked if they could rest at the garden shed.
The couple allegedly gave them food and later after left for the village.
Prosecution it was while one of the couple was telling his brother in-law of the events at the bush garden when the accused Ofotalau arrived.
Having heard the conversation Ofotalau allegedly left the village with a bush knife telling a girl who asked him where he was going that he was going to cut leaves for betel-nut fruit.
Ofotalau returned from the bush with his face and body covered in blood.
Prosecution alleged that at that time witnesses allegedly heard someone crying out in the bush for help.
Villagers went and saw one of the prison escapees with a cut on his leg and the other one with a cut on his tummy, with his intestine showing.
One of the prison escapees is facing charges of murder and rape in relation to the death of an under-aged girl who was allegedly raped and killed in Mbaelelea area of north Malaita, early last year.
The other one is facing other criminal offences.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
