Waigani National Court

First Constable Onesmus Kiki attached to the Waigani Police Station and Senior Constable Dunstan Wunum attached to the Boroko Police Station appeared before the Waigani Committal Court on Tuesday, 6th of February, 2024.

They were committed by the Committal Court to stand for trial at the National Court due to sufficient evidence by the Police Prosecutor.

Plaintiff, Dabunari Boteka ILG had taken PNG Resources Corporation Ltd (one of the five developers of Duran Farm project – first defendant), National Housing Corporation – second defendant, Lands and Physical Planning Department – third defendant and the Independent State of PNG – fourth defendant to court (OS 200 of 2021) seeking orders that it was the duly registered ILG that own portion 528 (subject land) which property was known as “Haga” in Hiri Rural LLG of Central province.

Last week, the Waigani National Court, through Justice George Manuhu, found Philip Bomal guilty of causing serious injuries to Francis Essy at the Manu Service Station in 2014. Essy was a former lecturer in the University of PNG’s School of Business and Administration.

Today, Bomal was asked if he wanted to say in light of the court’s verdict. His first remark was to apologise to his victim and his victim’s family, some of whom were present in the courtroom.

“Mi laik tok sorry lo femily bilong Francis Essy,” he stated.

It has also gotten an extension of 51 days to conduct the recount, as ordered by the National Court.

The recount that was ordered in November last year has not started due to various disputes over the recount venue, which was set by the Electoral Commissioner.

The results were due on Wednesday, February 6^th.

On Friday, the Electoral Commission was granted an extension of 51 days – from February 6 – to conduct the court ordered Simbu provincial seat recount, and return the results for verification by the Waigani National Court.

The order was issued this morning after the court refused the recount results.

This is because the Returning Officer and Electoral Commission failed to locate and remove 775 invalid ballot papers in the recount as ordered by the court. This was when it ordered the recount in May last year.

Goroka open will have no parliamentary representative as of today.

The court will be forwarding the orders to the speaker of parliament.

The Electoral Commission has been ordered to conduct the by-election as soon as possible.

The Waigani National Court convicted and sentenced 47-year-old Ande Joseph to four years in jail for impersonating and misappropriating K61,000.

A man described by the courts as one with multiple identities, the father-of-seven impersonated his deceased uncle between June 2015 and January 2017, to access service providers’ payments from the 2012 National Elections.

Joseph Ande presented himself as Thomas Martin with intent to defraud Westpac Bank and the Electoral Commission.

A man has stood trial at the Waigani National Court over allegations he impersonated his uncle between June 2015 and January 2017, to access Service providers’ payments from the 2012 National Elections.

Joseph Ande made false representations as Thomas Martin, at the Westpac Bank, to access monies for services rendered to the Electoral Commission.

He allegedly opened two accounts at the bank, using a fake driver’s license, to access two BPNG Cheques drawn from the PNG Electoral Commission totaling K61, 000.

The National Court yesterday delivered its ruling on two objection motions filed by sitting MP, Alfred Manasseh, and the Electoral Commission.

The court found there are valid grounds to test the allegations at trial.

The petition will proceed to trial after it survived two motions challenging its competency.

Eight of the 10 grounds pleaded in the petition will go for trial. 

Lawyers for petitioner Dr Hewali Hemiya and sitting MP, Philip Undialu, will return to court on Friday for submissions.

Trial in this petition has been complete.

The trial judge will now hear final submissions from counsels before a ruling can be given.

Meanwhile, the other petition that was filed by Francis Potape also disputing Undialu's election as governor has been remitted to the National Court for trial.

The Supreme Court remitted Potape's petition for trial after a successful review.

Trial is yet to commence for Potape's petition.

The decision was officially made by Justice Iova Geita today.   

Justice Iova Geita announced the decision following a recount of all ballot papers, which was ordered by the Court on the 21^st of February 2017 as per section 212 (1) (d) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections.

The recount commenced on May 21^st in Popondetta as the electoral documents were kept there.

These orders were complied with and results were presented to the Court on the 8^th of June 2018.