Bail has been refused by the Waigani National Court to an accused who was involved in the sea piracy attack and murder of a man from Roku village, Central Province, on Aug 15.
Boge Madaha returned to court today before Justice Panuel Mogish, who refused bail because he was not convinced Madaha showed exceptional circumstances to be allowed out on bail.
Bail was also refused due to the nature of the offense and also because Madaha waited three days before turning himself in.
Madaha was one of three suspects who surrendered to police and was arrested and charged in relation to the attack and murder of 35-year-old man, Heni Heni.
He asked the court this Wednesday for bail saying he is a cooperative suspect in the incident, being one of those who surrendered to police. This ground was also refused and his bail application refused.
It is alleged he was part of a group of fishermen from Tatana village who attacked Heni (deceased) and his brother, Nanai Heni, and three children with the intention of stealing the boat’s outboard motor on Aug 15.
This did not go as expected, resulting in Heni’s death. The police summary of facts before the court states that he was shot with a pistol by one of the Tatana men and thrown overboard.
His body was found 20 metres under the sea at Roku beach the same day.
Others also arrested for the attack are Peter Kavea, Bobby Rarua, Leka Alex Rabia, Tatana Kapia and Nolan Lawrence William. They all remain in custody while their case is still going through the Committal Court process.
(Pictured are seach and rescue boats on Aug 15. Picture courtesy of TVwan news.)