THE Court of Appeal (COA) is likely to hear the appeal that the Chief Of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office Robson Djokovic in November.
A lawyer from the Rano & Company, a firm that Djokovic engaged said the court of appeal is scheduled to sit sometimes this month.
He mentioned this in court when this matter came before the Honiara Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The court also heard that they had just received direction order on Tuesday for the filing of the submissions for the appeal matter which was to be done early this month.
He therefore asked for an adjournment and for Djokovic to be excused from attending the next court date.
Having heard from the defence Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea adjourned the matter to 1 December this year for further mention and for Djokovic’s appearance to be dispensed with.
Djokovic is appealing a High Court’s ruling regarding his citizenship status, of which, a High Court judge declared that Djokovic is an indigenous Solomon Islands but is not a Solomon Islands Citizen.
Following that ruling, police charged Djokovic with charges of obtaining registration by false pretense Contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code, fraudulent voting Contrary to Section 120 (c) of the Electoral Act 2018 and prohibition of a non-citizen from membership of a Political Party Contrary to section 41 (1) of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.”
Prosecution alleged that Djokovic, whom the High Court ruled is a holder of an Australian passport and is not a Solomon Islands Citizen was a member of “Our Party” that has been registered under the Political Parties Integrity Act.
Prosecution further alleged he also registered as a voter for the South Choiseul Constituency in 2019 National General Elections (NGE).
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
