TO the end of his trial, and into its immediate aftermath, retired Judge Pio Teek maintained a public silence on the child molestation allegations on which he was acquitted on Friday.
Since his arrest on January 31 last year and throughout his trial, Teek has not spoken out publicly and on the record to defend himself against the allegations. Instead, he has left this task in the hands of his lawyers, who gave his side of the matter in a detailed plea explanation that was submitted to the High Court at the start of his trial in the last week of April.Late on Friday afternoon, when he faced the media at the offices of his lawyers, Metcalfe Legal Practitioners, in Windhoek, Teek stuck to this strategy, letting the leader of his defence team, Richard Metcalfe, address the media on his behalf, and then declining to answer any questions from reporters.While expressing his faith in the Namibian justice system, thanking his family and friends for their support “throughout this terrible ordeal”, and even thanking the media for their reporting on his case – the statement that Teek made through Metcalfe also heralded a first warning that the criminal prosecution that Teek has faced is bound to have further fallout.Having “suffered great financial and personal loss through this unfortunate matter”, Teek had given his lawyers instructions to sue for malicious prosecution and defamation, Metcalfe announced.He did not say who would be sued, but it can be expected that the State, the Prosecutor General and the Namibian Police could be prime targets.”The facts of this matter and false allegations against me have been exposed in open court,” Metcalfe stated at the start of the statement that he made on Teek’s behalf.He continued: “I am disappointed as a law-abiding citizen and more so as a former Judge of Appeal that our Police force would stoop to levels, which have been exposed in this case, to attempt to secure a conviction against me.”Fortunately for me and countless other Namibians, the sanctity and independence of our courts has ensured an impartial evaluation of the case against me.I can truly say that having now been on the other side of the bench, my belief in the Namibian judicial system remains unshaken.”Neither Teek nor Metcalfe wanted to give an indication of what Teek’s future plans would be – except for stating that he plans to institute civil proceedings.”I now look forward to tackling the future and can assure my countrymen that I bear no bitterness or anger towards my accusers,” Metcalfe said on Teek’s behalf.Thanking the media for their coverage of the case “during the dark days and the good days”, Metcalfe added: “You have a valuable role to play in our Namibia and I wish you all well in doing your jobs in reporting on matters which are newsworthy to the public and which often reveal facts which are concealed from the general public.”Through Metcalfe, Teek concluded with this line: “In conclusion, I thank the almighty God for delivering me from this evil.”Instead, he has left this task in the hands of his lawyers, who gave his side of the matter in a detailed plea explanation that was submitted to the High Court at the start of his trial in the last week of April.Late on Friday afternoon, when he faced the media at the offices of his lawyers, Metcalfe Legal Practitioners, in Windhoek, Teek stuck to this strategy, letting the leader of his defence team, Richard Metcalfe, address the media on his behalf, and then declining to answer any questions from reporters. While expressing his faith in the Namibian justice system, thanking his family and friends for their support “throughout this terrible ordeal”, and even thanking the media for their reporting on his case – the statement that Teek made through Metcalfe also heralded a first warning that the criminal prosecution that Teek has faced is bound to have further fallout.Having “suffered great financial and personal loss through this unfortunate matter”, Teek had given his lawyers instructions to sue for malicious prosecution and defamation, Metcalfe announced.He did not say who would be sued, but it can be expected that the State, the Prosecutor General and the Namibian Police could be prime targets.”The facts of this matter and false allegations against me have been exposed in open court,” Metcalfe stated at the start of the statement that he made on Teek’s behalf.He continued: “I am disappointed as a law-abiding citizen and more so as a former Judge of Appeal that our Police force would stoop to levels, which have been exposed in this case, to attempt to secure a conviction against me.”Fortunately for me and countless other Namibians, the sanctity and independence of our courts has ensured an impartial evaluation of the case against me.I can truly say that having now been on the other side of the bench, my belief in the Namibian judicial system remains unshaken.”Neither Teek nor Metcalfe wanted to give an indication of what Teek’s future plans would be – except for stating that he plans to institute civil proceedings.”I now look forward to tackling the future and can assure my countrymen that I bear no bitterness or anger towards my accusers,” Metcalfe said on Teek’s behalf.Thanking the media for their coverage of the case “during the dark days and the good days”, Metcalfe added: “You have a valuable role to play in our Namibia and I wish you all well in doing your jobs in reporting on matters which are newsworthy to the public and which often reveal facts which are concealed from the general public.”Through Metcalfe, Teek concluded with this line: “In conclusion, I thank the almighty God for delivering me from this evil.”
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