Day two of a trial involving a man who allegedly sent death threats to Police Commissioner Gari Baki in 2016 continued at the Waigani National Court today.
Moses Maina of Western Highlands Province was arrested on 9 November 2016 on allegations he sent threats to Commissioner Baki between August and November that year using four different SIM cards.
He is not a police officer but was a close informant of the Commissioner and goes by the names of Isis, Jay Kange and Kande, apart from Moses Maina.
The state alleged he sent text messages to the Commissioner on 29 August, 4 September, 2 November and 8 November in 2016, signing off as ‘Snakehead’ and ‘Hunter’ from those four SIM cards.
When put on the witness stand today, he said he started going to see the Commissioner at his house in 2015.
He said he was engaged and funded by Commissioner Baki to collect information that are sensitive in nature, which could not be disclosed in court.
He also told the court he was subject to police assault during his detainment at Gerehu, Waigani and the Police Headquarters at Konedobu and was forced to sign a statement confessing to the crime on 12 November 2016.
The police investigating officer, Sergeant John Awali, was the last witness called by the state before it closed its case.
He told the court that a green waist bag that contained a phone and four SIM cards were obtained from Maina on his arrest.
Maina however, said he had a Tari bilum on him when apprehended, and that waist bag belonged to police.
Police Commissioner Baki gave evidence on behalf of the state yesterday in the trial.
(File pic of Police Commissioner Gari Baki)