Prosecution will be updating the court on the status of investigation regarding an arson case at Rennell, Renbell Province when the matter returns to the court on August 1.
That was supposed to be done yesterday but the court heard the prosecutor could not get in touch with the case officer in this matter despite attempts.
Anderson Kesaka of DNS & Partners who represents the accused persons said the issue raised on the last hearing was for the prosecution to inform the court as to whether investigations are ongoing or whether there will be additional disclosures.
He pointed out when the matter first came to the court for remand, prosecution insisted that a remand was necessary to enable investigation to go on but since then, there was no update from the case officer.
An adjournment was however granted to allow prosecution to get in touch with the case officer and update the court.
Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga also issued directions for prosecution to confirm to the court whether full disclosures have been served to the defence, prosecution to update court on the status of investigations, and if investigations are still ongoing or whether the matte can proceed in court depending on the available documents.
Tika Oea, Jimmy Tangosia, and Willie Tauika were charged with arson in relation to a recent incident at Rennell that rooted from a logging row.
Prosecution alleged the trio burnt logging machineries that belong to the logging giant Sumlimsum following disagreements between the accused and the logging company.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
