Task Force Team arrests police officers over assault

The Policing the Police Task Force Team has arrested and charged two policemen for assault.

The two were identified as Aidan Hevoho, 31, who is a policeman attached with the Waigani Support Unit, and Lesley Aihi, 31, a Police Reservist also based at the Waigani Police Station in Port Moresby.

Police allege that on January 1st 2019, at around 3.30pm, both accused drove over to Andrew Tambiri’s residence at Waigani in a white five door motor vehicle with no registration number and assaulted Tambiri and another person, namely Handabe Rex.

Aihi allegedly assaulted Rex with a tree branch whilst Hevoho assaulted Tambiri. Each were then alleged to have taken turns to punch and slap Tambiri several times in the face.

On January 2, after the case was reported, the Policing the Police Task Force Team apprehended both suspects at Ensisi Valley. Both were consuming alcohol and were in possession of a firearm.

The suspects were formally cautioned and charged. One count of assault for Aihi and two counts of assault for Hevoho and an additional charge for each of them under section 57 of the Firearm Act for being in possession of the firearms whilst consuming alcohol. They were refused bail and remanded in custody after they allegedly issued threats against Tambiri. Both were suspended from duties.

On 15th January 2019 they were given bail to respond to their administrative charges.

Their first trial in court was on the 16th of January, however, due to power interruptions, their case was adjourned to January 21st.

Author: 
Press release