KOTA KINABALU: A Sessions Court judge reprimanded a defence counsel on Wednesday for abruptly discharging herself from a rape case without prior notice, causing the scheduled trial to be postponed.
The case involved Midrick Makales, who is accused of raping his 21-year-old neighbour in a rented room in Lorong Buah Duku on Jan 13.
The lawyer informed the court she was stepping down due to a lack of instructions, case documents, and payment from the accused's family.
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The court granted the withdrawal, with no objection from the prosecution, and fixed May 13 for mention to confirm if Midrick’s family could secure new legal representation.
