A lawyer has been slapped with contempt charges for shouting at a senior Committal Court Magistrate during court hearing at Waigani today.
The senior lawyer who has over 25 years of experience was fined K200 by Magistrate Mekeo Gauli for shouting at him in court because he didn't agree with the court's decision to detain his client.
Realizing his outburst in court, he later apologised to the magistrate.
His client appeared in court for the first time today since his arrest last year on 14 counts of fraudulently utter and 14 counts of forgery.
Tony Mark Ekepa is alleged to have forged signatures belonging to other persons 14 times on 23 Aug 2011 at the IPA house, Konebobu, NCD.
He was re-arrested by police on January 12 from an arrest warrant issued by the District court.
Ekepa obtained bail from the National Court, however his bail was granted without any conditions or bail amount.
A copy of the National court order was presented to the magistrate who found it fishy that a defendant was granted bail without paying any money and on no bail condition.
He ordered for Ekepa to be detained in custody until his lawyer provides to court his bail receipt.
The magistrate explained to Ekepa that it was his first time in court and the court will hear case by way of committal and if evidence is sufficient they will send his case to national court.
His Case is adjourned to 20 March.