NO new date has been fixed yet for committal hearing on the case of the two men accused of attacking a Renbel chief at the Kingsley Food bar in Honiara last year.
Frank Fakani and Ben Alami appeared yesterday in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court and their bails were extended until May 21.
Lawyer representing Alami and the prosecutor in carriage of the matter Florence Joel were not present in court yesterday.
Public Prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda, who appeared without a file, said he could not assist the court.
He said, the file is under the carriage of his colleague Ms Joel who is currently attending a workshop.
He added that the matter is for an interim mention date so that a new long form preliminary inquiry date can be fixed.
A long form preliminary inquiry date that was previously fixed has been vacated and the matter was adjourned to yesterday for the setting of a new inquiry date.
Mr Dalipanda asked if the matter can be stood down for another interim mention date to allow Ms Joel to appear so that the preliminary inquiry date can be fixed.
Since the prosecutor in this case was not present, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Kouhota granted the adjournment.
He said, this is for mention and to set a new preliminary inquiry date.
Fakani and Alami are facing attempted murder charge for allegedly attacking Poly Tepai at the Kingsley Food Bar on the morning of 8 November, 2014.
Mr Tepai was having his meal with another Asian and a local when Alami allegedly came from behind and hacked him with a 60 centimetre-long knife.
Prosecution alleged Tepai flew in from his village into Honiara, and made his way from the airport to Kingsley when the attack took place.
The men then left in a car allegedly driven by Frank.
Mr Tepai nearly lost his left hand but doctors were able to save his hand and life.
Two other men were also charged for the attempted murder but were later discharged due to insufficient evidence against them.
Police are carrying out further investigations against the owner of Samlimsam logging company and another local.
Fakani was represented by George Gray of the Public Solicitor’s Office while Alami was represented by private lawyer Hubert Fugui.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
