Accused’s files in Maybank robbery missing

The Waigani Committal Court has issued directions to the lawyer representing a man, who was allegedly involved in the K5.9 million Maybank robbery of 2013, to make copies of his files and bring to court.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar told the lawyer representing defendant, Willie Allan, to make copies of his client’s files or hand up brief for the court and police prosecution because his files could not be found in the court registry.

The files went missing after he escaped from custody.

The Committal Court directed Allan’s lawyer to bring copies of the file so that it can assist the court in assessing the evidence before it.

Allan is one of those allegedly involved in the K5.9 million Maybank robbery by G4S security guards on October 4, 2013. While other co-accused’s cases have been committed to the Waigani National Court for trial, Allan’s case remains at the District Court, three years on after he first appeared.

He is currently remanded at Bomana.

Allan first appeared in court on Oct 23, 2013.

Others who were also allegedly involved in the Maybank robbery, whose cases have been committed to the National Court, are Thomas Karo, Ricky Antio, Paul Stevens, Samson Banaso, Casper Louis, Bore Burom, Alphonse Samson, Hubert Korede, Stewart, Korina, Gelison William and Sonix Alowale.

Bore Burom, Alphonse Samson, Hubert Korede, Stewart, Korina and Sonix Alowale have had pre-trial review statements filed by the State and their lawyers in their respective cases.

They will be tried together and a date for that will be confirmed after all court document work are completed before the National Court.

Thomas Karo has pleaded guilty for the allegations against them. He now awaits his sentencing.

Ricky Antio was sentenced on Dec 3 to 7 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty on August 25, 2015, before the Waigani National Court to receiving K1,500 cash from the total stolen monies of K5.9 million.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton