Court to rule on Yafai’s no-case submission

The National Court is expected to rule on Friday whether to dismiss the criminal case against Jacob Yafai or proceed to trial, following a no-case submission filed by his defense team on Wednesday morning.

Yafai is facing charges for allegedly facilitating K41 million in illegal payments to the Paraka Law Firm between 2012 and 2013.

The trial resumed yesterday after a one-month adjournment. Prior to the break, the state prosecution had called 19 witnesses, including Prime Minister James Marape, who at the time of the alleged payments served as Minister for Finance.

Appearing before Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Yafai’s lawyer, Edward Sasingian, argued that the state had failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case.

Sasingian argued that none of the witnesses, including the Prime Minister, provided concrete evidence linking Yafai directly to the alleged misappropriation.

He urged the court to strike out the case, arguing that the evidence submitted did not justify requiring Yafai to present a defense.

Chief Justice Salika has adjourned the matter to Friday, when the court will deliver its ruling on the no-case submission.

If the submission is successful, the charges against Yafai will likely be dismissed. However, if the court finds there is a case to answer, Yafai will be required to mount a defense and may call witnesses of his own.