Irvian Bobby Becomes Star Witness, Lawyer: Prosecutors Struggle to Uncover Noel's Criminal Acts
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Irvian Bobby Mahendro’s lawyer, Hervan Dewantara, suspects that the Public Prosecutors (JPU) are facing difficulties in uncovering the criminal acts of former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, alias Noel, in the alleged corruption case of extortion in K3 certification processing.
“Based on the results of previous trial sessions, indeed at this time the JPU may, may be, facing obstacles in proving the actions carried out by Immanuel or Bang Noel,” Hervan stated after the hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (16/4/2026).
“Our client may be the only person who can prove the actions carried out by Noel. That’s our suspicion,” Hervan added.
Nevertheless, Bobby will provide testimony for the case files of all defendants, not specifically for Noel.
“So not only for Noel but for all the other defendants,” Hervan said again.
This application is awaiting consideration from the Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice Nur Sari Baktiana confirmed the application to Bobby.
“Is it true that you are offering yourself as a star witness?” asked Chief Justice Nur Sari Baktiana during the hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (16/4/2026).
Bobby confirmed it, stating that he is offering himself as a star witness for Noel’s case and the other defendants.
“That’s correct, Your Honour, I am offering myself as a star witness for today’s trial,” Bobby replied.
Moreover, the application to become a star witness is considered should have been made during the investigation stage, not when it has already entered the trial phase.
Objections from the legal teams of the other defendants were responded to by the Public Prosecutors (JPU). However, until the end of the hearing, the debate was not resolved, so the panel of judges decided to postpone the hearing to Monday (20/4/2026) while awaiting the stance from the leadership of the Central Jakarta District Court.