NO pre-trial conference has been conducted on Tuesday on the case of the Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal Bradley Tovosia and former Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke.
This was because the two accused and their lawyers, Nuatali Tongarutu of ANT Legal Service and Anderson Kesaka of DNS & Partners, did not turn up in court.
The court was told that the two accused were seen in the court premise but had left before the court session begins.
Police Prosecution Advisor Andie Driu told the court that yesterday’s appearance was for pre-trial conference.
She told the court she had already disclosed pre-trial conference documents to both counsels last month.
She said sufficient time was given for them to peruse the documents but she had not heard from both counsels as of yet.
Ms Driu said she was ready to ask for a warrant of arrest but was not sure if counsels have informed their client of yesterday’s date.
The matter was adjourned from the last occasion to yesterday but it was however not on the court list.
Prosecution then sought an adjournment to September 29 for the pre-trial conference and assured the court she will write to both counsels informing them of the date.
This is so that both counsels and their clients appear in court.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Kouhota adjourned the matter and extended bails for both accused.
Tovosia and Veke are jointly charged for four counts of abuse of office and seven counts of attempted abuse of office.
These were all related to the allegation in July 2010 when Tovosia was working with the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly and Veke as the Finance Minister for the province.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
