Murder defendant seeks new lawyer

AN INDONESIAN man accused of murdering a woman in Kiulap last year is seeking for a legal aid after his lawyer discharged himself from the case during yesterday's High Court session.

Defence Counsel Yusof Halim told the court that he was only briefed up to the High Court mention and was only tasked to do the preliminary inquiry until the case was remitted to the High Court.

Following the rejection of the letter of representation, the defendant, Novi Yusup Affendi, will be applying for a state appointed lawyer, pending his eligibility in getting one.

Novi was charged before a two-member panel of the High Court with an offence under section 302 of the Penal Code which carries a death sentence.

He is accused of murdering an Indonesia woman, Dedah Karmilah Nurazis, on July 6, 2011.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Dyg Suhana Hj Sudin and Nor Hafizah Ahmad appeared for the prosecution during the proceedings yesterday.

The court document states that Novi is facing section 302 of the Penal Code, chapter 22, whereby on July 6, at Giordano Staff House at Tian Chung Building, Kiulap Complex in Brunei Darussalam, did commit murder by causing the death of 32-year-old Dedah.

The deceased was the defendant's wife's roommate.

Novi is currently being held in the custody of the Jerudong Prison whilst awaiting for a further mention of the case on August 2.

The Brunei Times