Tatana shooting case

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika today discharged Philip Pokop, Lawrence Sausau, Ian Gunawi, Mariah Jones and Jeffrey Sheekiot from the murder allegations they were facing, putting a stop to their trial.

They were discharged after he upheld an application their lawyer moved in court.

At the close of state’s evidence yesterday, their lawyer this morning moved a no-case submission asking the court not to proceed to hear evidence from the accused in the case. This was on the ground the state did not meet certain requirements in the evidence act.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today ruled there was sufficient to commit the case against Chief inspector Maria Jones for trial in the National Court.

On January 17, 2017, Jones in the company of other police officers conducted a raid at Tatana village for a suspect, Saleh Naime Tom, also known as Charlie Naime whom they believed was involved in the death of another man earlier.

The 40-year-old woman from Kubalia, Yangoru-Saussia district, East Sepik Province was arrested and charged with wilful murder on Monday April 4, 2016.

38-year-old Jeffery Sheekiot of Sumusamu village, Bogia, Madang, and his lawyers appeared before Justice Sir Bernard Sakora this morning where a bail application was moved. A decision is expected at 2.30pm today.

He was arrested on July 28 in Port Moresby and has been in custody since.

He is now asking the court for bail on the main ground that he has been a police officer for 10 years and there will be a likelihood of threats against him while in custody.