THE committal hearing into the murder of the young man whose dead body was found floating in the Lungga Creek early this year was halted, Thursday.
This was after the lawyer of one of the two men accused of the murder raised an issue in relation to a question asked by the presiding magistrate during the cross-examination.
The long form preliminary inquiry was then halted and adjourned to today for Sarah Karani of Public Solicitor’s Office to make an application in relation to that issue.
The court will then rule on that issue as to whether or not the court has the right to ask that certain question during cross-examination.
The hearing started on Wednesday before Principal Magistrate Edwin Saramo.
The girlfriend of the deceased testified yesterday and is still in the progress of cross-examination by the lawyers of the two accused, Mark Nalua and Banabus Mwema.
Prosecution intends to call more witnesses.
The two accused, Mark Nalua and Banabus Mwema are charged for the murder of the deceased whose dead body was found floating in the Lungga Creek on the morning of 23 March 2015.
Prosecution alleged that at around 10 pm of 21 March 2015, the deceased, a young lad from Western province and his girlfriend, attended a sisi dance (night dance) at Lungga seaside.
Whilst there, prosecution alleged that the deceased and his girlfriend met and had conversations with the two accused at different times during that night.
At one point, prosecution alleged Nalua had an argument with the deceased’s girlfriend.
Not long after, the deceased and his girlfriend left the sisi dance and went away from the dance area near a creek not far from the dance venue.
Prosecution alleged that Mwema watched the deceased and his girlfriend went into the nearby bush.
Whilst in there, it was alleged the deceased and his girlfriend heard Nalua’s voice coming into the bush and then attacked the deceased.
Prosecution alleged that Nalua hit the deceased’s head with a stick.
The deceased fell on to the ground and Nalua also allegedly hit the head of the deceased’s girlfriend who then fled.
On 10am the next day, the body of the deceased was found floating in the creek near the sisi dance by some people.
The duo were later arrested and charged for the murder of the deceased.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
