A 66-year-old man will stand trial for wilfully murdering another man without any motive.
Frank Dunamb from East Sepik Province was charged and arrested for one count of wilful murder under s. 299 of the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant, residing at Five-Mile Ridge Lodge, is a former policeman and works for Black Swan.
According to court documents, on the 7th of August, 2018, the deceased, by the name of Henry Sahu, was allegedly stabbed multiple times by the defendant at the Five-Mile Ridge Lodge.
Police alleged that the deceased was in his rental room when a phone call came in and when he stepped out to answer the call, he was attacked.
Court documents showed today that no forensic evidence was given from eyewitnesses, however a dying declaration was stated from the deceased after the attack.
The deceased allegedly told his sister by the name of Esana Sahu after the attack saying: “It’s our neighbour, the old Sepik guy who is working with Black Swan”.
The deceased was announced dead on arrival at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The defendant, when interrogated by the CID Homicide personnel, denied having any knowledge of the murder. However, witness statements implicated the suspect, who is still in custody.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar made a ruling before the court today and the matter will be heard on the 10th of January 2020 at the Waigani National Court.
According to the court, evidence is circumstantial and no motive found behind the attack, however, the dying declaration allowed the magistrate to push the matter for further hearing.
(Article by Jasmine Iru - third year UPNG Journalism student)