Sufficient evidence has been made out against a man from Angoram, who is alleged to have been involved in the Daikoku restaurant robbery that took place on May 18 last year.
Schneider Bishop of Biwat area, Angoram, East Sepik Province, returned to the Waigani Committal Court today where a ruling was made in the case against him.
Himself and four others, Solomon Gonol, Paul Michael, John Sabol 'Ala' and Jack Joe Hora, were arrested and charged over the armed robbery, which took place between 11.30am and 12midday at Harbour City at Konedobu on May 18, 2016.
It is alleged the five, armed with factory made pistols, held up the staff and customers of Daikoku restaurant and stole cash and items valued at K2,752.
They allegedly got away with K300 cash, four whisky bottles worth K1000, six wine bottles valued at K732, and three Pall Mall cigarettes, also worth K732.
They were caught by police while attempting to get away.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar, in considering the evidence before him from the Police investigation files and submissions, said there was sufficient evidence made out to warrant a committal to the National Court for trial.
He said Bishop and another, John Sabol 'Ala', were found in a taxi that had a factory made pistol that police believed was used in the robbery.
The armed men were unmasked at the time of the robbery and witnesses described them from observation as that of the Momase and Gulf region.
Despite police prosecution relying on this circumstantial evidence in terms of the robbers’ identity, Magistrate Bidar said that will be an issue for the proper trial in the National Court.
Bishop will return to the Committal Court later this month where his lawyer will make a response to the court’s ruling.
He remains on an extended National Court bail.
(The Daikoku restaurant is housed in the ENB Haus at Harbour City, Port Moresby.)