national court

Trial on for Kone armed robbery

Sese Mala of Lelefu village, Malalaua, is alleged to have been involved in the armed robbery of 777 Pokies bar and restaurant, along with five others, on June 30, 2015.

The court was told today that Mala and others entered the 777 Pokies bar and restaurant between 2pm-3pm, took valuables from customers, cash, alcohol, flex cards and cigarettes, all valued at K5000, while armed with two factory made pistols.

They made away with K2000 cash.

At the presentation of the charge against him in court, Mala pleaded not guilty, which prompted the commencement of the trial.

Five bribery allegations against Sir Puka

 Kala filed the petition against third-time MP, Sir Puka Temu.

The case went for directions before Justice Collin Makail, of the Waigani National Court, where two weeks were given to parties to sort their witness statements in preparation for trial.

Sir Puka will also be calling seven witnesses during trial.

Kala is alleging five instances of bribery against sitting MP, Sir Puka.

The Electoral Commission has been given till Oct 4 to produce form 66 A and form 66B, including the electoral roll to lawyers for the petitioner.

Toropo summoned in Ialibu-Pangia petition

Justice Collin Makail issued the orders today on the request of lawyer representing petitioner in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria.

The petition came for direction hearing today to assist parties prepare themselves for the actual hearing.

The main basis of the petition is the alleged illegal polling on Sunday, which breaches section 130(1)(b) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.

Three are three grounds of the petition; illegal practices, bribery and undue influence.

State liable to pay victim of police brutality

Jeff Joe Lome filed a Human rights case in 2011 against Katu Sele, the Commissioner of Police and the state after he was assaulted by police outside the club on 24 June 2010.

The incident occurred between 1:30 and 2am.

Lome claims he fell unconscious as a result of the assault, and was taken to a private clinic for treatment.

He sustained fractures to his wrist, cuts to his nose, eyes, and lost two teeth from the assault. This was supported by medical reports.

Man on trial for assaulting 6yo cousin

The man today appeared in the Waigani National Court and pleaded not guilty to the two charges that were laid against him by the prosecutor.

It is alleged he sexually assaulted his cousin sister, who was six years old then, at the family home at Nine-Mile on 18 September, 2015.

The house belonged to his father. The accused is the adopted son of the home owner, who is the elder brother of the victim’s father.

SHP man to still answer to murder charge

The no-case submission was moved after all of the state’s witnesses were called and it closed its evidence in the trial.

Erave man Jerry Turi’s lawyer asked the court to stop the trial halfway and acquit him, citing the state did not produce enough evidence to convict him.

The court found there was enough evidence to proceed with the trial and dismissed his application.

He will return to court next Tuesday, where the court will hear his side of the case through the witnesses he intends to call.

Three on trial for armed robbery

Anasi Apak of Lufa, Eastern Highlands, Robin Badui Jnr of Dagua, East Sepik, and Kimugo Komafe of Kainantu, Eastern Highlands Province, all pleaded not guilty in court today to the charge of armed robbery.

They appeared before Acting Justice Daniel Liosi, where each of them pleaded not guilty to three counts of armed robbery.

The armed robbery took place at 8am on 24 August 2015, at Lakatoi place, East Boroko.

Court reserves ruling on Gumine case

Presiding judge, Justice Collin Makail this afternoon heard the two applications that was moved by lawyers representing Dawa Lucas Dekena and Nick Kuman.

The case returned following the restraining orders that were issued on Aug 2, stopping Kuman from making the declaration of office taking part in the election of the Speaker and Prime Minister.

However, the restraining orders were not served in time to the Speaker and Clerk of Parliament, in order for it to take effect against Kuman.

The orders were issued at 11:50am, Kuman made declaration at 12:03pm

Case of SHP RO dismissed

This case was filed by a candidate who contested the Southern Highlands regional seat.

Joseph Kobal filed the case with an urgent application, asking the court to stop returning officer, Jacob Kurap, from performing the duties and function of a Provincial Returning Officer.

This application was refused by Justice Collin Makail, who said the people of Southern Highlands Province deserve a result from the election and the electoral process must be allowed to take its course.

Supreme Court dismisses pilots’ appeal

The dismissal of the case also means the interim relief of March 23, which stayed their termination as well as eviction from Air Niugini’s accommodation, was also discharged.

Captains Joseph Kumasi, Boris Ageda, Vincent Tongia, Benjamin Lopa, Norman Daniel, and first officers Elijah Yuangi, David Seken and Abel Kanego, were terminated in September over allegations of misconduct.

They filed a judicial review in the National Court and a stay against their termination was granted on Oct 7, 2016.