Two men who were assaulted by police reservists in the early hours of 24 January 2013 will be paid over K40, 000 for breach of their human rights.
The Waigani National Court ordered Justus Ohue who was exercising the powers of a police reservists at the time of the assault to pay Johnnie Wabata and Tabi Opeti.
Wabata was the driver of a taxi owned by Tabi Opeti.
He was on duty, waiting outside the Penthouse nightclub at Gordons for passengers, when he was confronted and assaulted and his human rights were breached by two men, one of whom was Ohue.
Ohue and his companion who was not identified, commandeered the taxi and drove it, with Wabata inside, to the residence of Tabi Opeti at Korobosea.
It is claimed Opeti was assaulted. Wabata was also said to be further assaulted by Ohue and his companion.
The reservists then confiscated the taxi and told the two they would have to provide K2, 000 to them as a penalty for using an unregistered taxi.
The vehicle which they used as an income-generating taxi was not returned.
Ohue failed to defend the case resulting in default judgement entered against him at a cost of K33, 005.
An interest of interest of K7, 815.58 was calculated by the court bringing a total judgment sum of K40, 820.58 to be paid by Ohue.
Picture: Former Penthouse club. Credit: Mapio.net