After the third witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police Keith Bobb-Semple, of the Presidential Guard, had testified last Wednesday, the matter was adjourned to Monday, October 30.

However, neither Magistrate Sohan nor Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin was present on that day, as well.

Then, after a fruitless wait of more than two hours yesterday, at Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the PI is being held, lead Defence Counsel Basil Williams summoned a press conference in his city chambers on South Road.

In the presence of the other lawyers associated with him, Mr Williams called on the authorities to effect a speedy change in the situation and ensure the hearing continues promptly.

He said it is customary, in the legal profession, that, when dealing with such matters and there are problems with any of the parties involved, colleagues would contact one another to say whether they would be late or delayed for some reason or other.

But Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin did not do so and Williams said it is both frustrating a disrespectful.

Magistrate Chandra Sohan, who is conducting the PI was also absent from Court as Williams spoke.

Attorney- at -law Mr Mortimer Coddette, who is associated with Williams, said the absence of both functionaries does not augur well for the future of the case.

Coddette said members of the Defence team have been attending Court for the past two days but were left in suspense.

Williams said he contacted Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Desiree Bernard and raised the issue of the delay and she told him the authorities were looking at possible arrangements for the magistrate, who lives in East Berbice, to be housed in the city.

Matters pertaining to the security of Magistrate Sohan, while he presides at the hearing, are also being given attention, Williams reported.

Magistrate Sohan had previously raised some concerns about the hostile environment in which the PI is being held and may have been in fear for his own safety, Williams quoted the Chancellor as saying.