A trial date has been set for the man who was arrested and charged over the brutal murder of former diplomat, the late Dennis Taylor Bebego, on July 5, 2014.
Billy Sapsi Pokea of Suma village, Mendi, Southern Highlands Province, was committed by the District Court on May 19, 2015. He will stand trial next Tuesday at the National Court.
Pokea, who seemed to have aged quite quickly due to his incarceration at Bomana, today appeared in court in crutches before Justice George Manuhu for mention.
He told the court he was still sorting out his legal representation because he intends to engage a private law firm to represent him and not the Public Solicitors office.
He said he wants to engage private counsels but is awaiting funds to be released from his savings.
Justice Manuhu told him the court had given him more than enough time to engage private lawyers and the trial will go ahead on Tuesday, as scheduled.
He first appeared in the National Court on August 3, 2015, where he was instructed to find legal representation.
The State is expected to fly a key witness into the country over the weekend for the trial.
It is alleged Pokea wilfully murdered Dennis Taylor Bebego, a former diplomat and senior director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade office, on July 5, 2014.
The late Bebego was from Gona village in Northern Province.
Police report alleges the late Bebego was slashed to death in his office by Pokea, a long-serving public servant who knew Bebego very well.
Police report said he suffered fatal slashes to his head, right arm and leg, and stab wounds. He died from loss of blood after struggles with Pokea behind closed doors.