national court

Compensation on the other hand, defeats the purpose of criminal law.

This message was echoed by the National Court on Friday by Justice Panuel Mogish when giving his penalty sentence to a 25 year old man who viciously attacked another man using a bush knife.

Ageru Lea, from the Abau District, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Willie Sioro that left him with permanent injuries.

Lea attacked Sioro on March 3, 2015, cutting him twice on his left forearm and his right foot.

Norman Ilikis of Turagunan village, Kokopo, East New Britain Province appeared on Monday before Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika for mention.

Ilikis lawyer was directed to work with state lawyers and file pre-trial statement reviews before the matter returns to court next week.

His bail conditions will also be reviewed next week Monday when his case returns.

A parade by members of the Royal PNG Constabulary and the Correctional Service was held this morning to mark the commencement of the legal year opening for the province.

A dedication service was also held to commit the legal year to God.

Central Province administrative judge Panuel Mogish encouraged all in the province to work together to dispense justice in the rural areas and to make Central a model province in the delivery of justice.

He said working in partnership is the way forward.

Justice David Cannings on Thursday sentenced Maika Bruno, 54 years of age from Rasese village, Namatanai, New Ireland Province to a head sentence of 8 years in jail for two counts of misappropriation.

That sentence was reduced to three years after the judge took into consideration his age, health and the favourable Pre-sentence report from the Probation service.

Madang Businessman Peter Yama is seeking contempt charges against former Electoral  Commissioner Sir Andrew Trawen, the returning officer involved in the Madang Open by-election recount in 2014, Simon Sinai, and their lawyer Harvey Nii.

He alleges that they misled the national court with wrong information when the court was dealing with an election petition filed by Yama challenging the election of current Madang Open MP Nixon Duban.

The contempt trial has commenced before Justice Collin Makail by way of affidavits or statements.

Maika Bruno, 54 years of age from Rasese village, Namatanai, New Ireland Province returned before Justice David Cannings on Thursday for submission on his penalty sentence.

He was convicted on January 24, 2017 for misappropriating a total of K91,000 to his own use on 4 November 2013 by using NIO monies to pay for legal bills to challenge his removal from office.

He told the court on Thursday that he engaged the legal firm to challenge the revocation of his appointment while he was still in office.

The court found Michael Apereo not guilty to three counts of murder on Thursday because the State did not prove the element of identification to show he actually committed the offense.

State also did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was at Walia check point on Oct 30, 2012.

Apereo had an alibi that he was at home in Mt Hagen with his family at the time of the attack.

Despite allegations that he was the main perpetrator in the tribal attack at the Walia Check point over land issues, the court ruled that his alibi defense was stronger.

Olivia Warome and husband Kume Keware appeared before Justice Panuel Mogish on Thursday.

They told the court in the afternoon court session that they were informed of the bench warrants that was issued against them by relatives who read their bench warrant story on the Loop PNG site.

Justice Panuel Mogish commended the media for its role which saw the two accuseds appear in court today.  

John Morgan Selan, an engineer, is the Managing Director of Manus Earthmoving Ltd. His company was awarded a contract to do maintenance work on two feeder roads at the Wosera/Gawi District valued at K1 million in 2013.

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika conducted a trial in his case and after examining evidence before the court, he found Selan not guilty to all three charges.

The case against Michael Apereo was transferred to Waigani from Mt Hagen. It commenced today before Justice Panuel Mogish.

Two witnesses were called by the State after the charges or indictment against Apereo was presented in court.

From Walia village in the Enga Province, Apereo is facing three counts of wilful murder.