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Lumumba assault matter adjourned again
The assault matter involving Presidential Advisor on Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba, had to be put off again on Thursday when the Government official failed to make an appearance before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Lumumba’s attorney, Neil Boston, made an appearance before the court and informed Magistrate Latchman that Lumumba would be absent since he is seeking medical attention in Jamaica.
Odinga Lumumba
According to Boston his client had encountered medical issues and had to travel to the Caribbean island to seek help. The lawyer asked for another date and same was granted.
Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who is representing the complainant in the matter had no objection to Boston’s request. The lawyers were asked to return to court on November 21 for the continuation of the matter.
Onika Beckles was also present in court. She alleged that Lumumba assaulted her while she performed her managerial tasks at a polling station located at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, during the 2011 election period.
Reports are that Lumumba entered the polling station where Beckles was working and behaved disorderly. He reportedly shoved the woman against a wall after verbally abusing her. Beckles was also charged and had been placed on $25 bail when she faced Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.
The police said that Beckles on November 28 last obstructed Gomattie Kalicharran from accessing the polling place while she had no lawful authority.
Lumumba will be making his fifth appearance at the Court when he returns. Cross examination by Hughes will continue; it was cut short on the last occasion when Magistrate Latchman adjourned the hearing stating that, “I am not sitting through another of this.”
The court head was referring to outbursts of arguments which had erupted during Lumumba’s testimonies. The Government official on several occasions became incensed by certain questions and suggestions put to him by Hughes. As soon as Lumumba had taken the stand on the last occasion, Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter as Hughes and Lumumba ended up bickering when the first question was asked.
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