Romilly Kila-Pat

The case was listed for a trial to commence today (Nov 7) before Deputy Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika however the State said it will not prosecute the matter as it does not have enough evidence against Kila-Pat and his two co-accused; Simeon Andrew and Vavine Walo.

Andrew was the Department of Lands and Physical Planning’s Corporate Director while Walo was the Manager of Finance and Budget when they were arrested last year and charged with Kila-Pat for misappropriation.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar found that the money received by investigating officers was for their travel allowance and not a bribe to investigate the defendants.

Bidar in giving his ruling into an application filed by Kila-Pat and his co-accuseds, said the two (investigating officer and the police prosecutor) had received K6,000 each as part of their travel allowance to provide assistance to the Lands and Physical Planning Department carry out a land verification exercise.