Court awaits escapee’s statement

The Waigani Committal Court is awaiting a statement from a prisoner who is answering to charges of escaping from lawful custody.

The prisoner who broke out from Buimo prison in Lae while serving a 9 year sentence found himself in court again, this time in Port Moresby, for armed robbery allegations.

Andrew Jawa was arrested and charged for armed robbery and unlawful use of motor vehicle, with two others, over a robbery incident that took place at Koki Salvation Army office in April last year.

While in custody, police and Correctional Service realized he was an escapee from Buimo, and slapped him with an additional charge of escaping lawful custody.

The Committal court early this month found there was sufficient evidence to put his case, in relation to the escape charge for trial in the National Court.  

It is now waiting for Jawa to file his statement in response to the court’s ruling before an order can be made for trial.

He will return to court next month where that section 96 statement is expected to be given in court.

He remains in custody at Bomana till then.

Police also allege that Jawa and three others in court were among a group of armed men who robbed three employees of the Salvation Army in Koki on 13 April, 2017.

A 10-seater vehicle, mobile phones and cash monies amounting to K1,100 were stolen and recovered in their possession.

The armed robbery case continues in court.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton