Students directed to cooperate with police

Four University of Papua New Guinea students who are facing criminal charges at the Waigani District Court have been directed to cooperate with police in their investigations.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today issued directions to Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divina Marus and Frank Luwai to present themselves to the police investigator handling their case and undergo their respective record of interviews.

They were charged on June 27 for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The records of interviews of the accused remain outstanding and are needed by the investigation officer to compile his reports which are the Hand-up brief to the court.

Magistrate Bidar’s directions came after the court was informed by Police Prosecution team that the students are yet to undergo the record of interview process.

Police allege the students were in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Toyota Sedan reg no. SAC 625 on June 24, and used it without the consent of the owner – an allegation the students denied through their lawyer. They said consent was obtained from the owner of the vehicle.

An application by the students’ lawyer, Laken Lepatu Aigilo today seeking to have the case dismissed was refused by the court.

Aigilo had argued in court that the case is affecting the students’ studies and the owner of the vehicle who is known to them allowed them to use the vehicle in the first place.

Bidar said the application to dismiss the case was premature. He allowed another month’s adjournment for the students to go for the record of interviews.

They will return to court on Oct 27.

 

 

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton