Lawyer Bildad Thonak Reported to KAI NTT Over Alleged Case Manipulation
Lawyer Bildad Torino M. Thochak has been reported to the Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian Advocates Congress (KAI) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) regarding allegations of case manipulation and fraud. The report was filed by Izhak Eduard Rihi on Friday, 31 July 2026.
Through a formal letter, Izhak submitted a complaint regarding a breach of the advocate’s code of ethics by Bildad Torino M. Thonak. Izhak revealed that the issue began when Bildad acted as his legal counsel in a civil case at the Kupang District Court in August 2023.
Izhak alleges that Bildad requested several sums of money, leading him to pay a total of Rp 330 million across September 2023 and June 2025. Specifically, Izhak claims that Rp 200 million was requested in June 2024 under the pretext of coordinating with the Supreme Court for a cassation appeal. However, the appeal was ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court of Indonesia (Decision No. 4275 K/Pdt/2024).
Izhak further alleged that the funds were intended to lobby a judge; however, upon verification, the judge denied any request to review the case, denied any discussions regarding money, and stated they had received no funds from Bildad. The former President Director of Bank NTT stated that this confirms the defendant’s deceptive tactics.
In October 2025, Bildad reportedly returned Rp 200 million in cash via another lawyer, leaving a balance of Rp 130 million. Following a legal summons sent by Izhak on 22 July 2026, Bildad returned an additional Rp 100 million on 24 July 2026. Izhak maintains that Bildad’s actions violate the code of ethics by acting dishonestly and failing to uphold the ‘officium nobile’ (noble profession) of a lawyer.
In response, Bildad stated he is prepared to face the report, countering that Izhak had failed to pay his legal fees. Bildad asserted that he assisted Izhak out of compassion because the client was in financial difficulty and denied taking any illicit funds. He claimed that all legal fees, totalling Rp 300 million, had already been returned to Izhak.
The Chairman of DPD KAI NTT, Erryc Save Oka Mamoh, confirmed that the report has been received and will be reviewed by the council.