Baruni

A number of families had lost their homes to arson following retaliation over the death of a young man in Baruni Village last month.

Governor Parkop reaffirmed the city’s commitment to supporting the families who had their homes torched.

He assured the affected families that lost a family member and those that have lost their homes, that the city would step in to mediate the peace process and assist in building new homes for those that had theirs destroyed. 

ExxonMobil PNG, on behalf of PNG LNG, has contributed K165,000 towards PNG Cancer Foundation’s Healthy Teens School Program (HTSP). This brings ExxonMobil PNG’s support to K269,700 for PNGCF awareness programs since 2014.

The partnership will see the program rolled out to schools in Papa Lealea, Hanuabada, Baruni, Boera, Tatana, Porebada, Port Moresby, Hides and Moro. 

She appeared at the Waigani Committal court on Thursday morning.

Hellen Palana was charged for the wilful murder of her husband after they had an argument on Sunday night, Feb 7.

She remains in custody but is at liberty to apply for bail at the National Court as the Committal Court does not have the jurisdiction to allow bail for wilful murder.

It is alleged she stabbed her husband resulting in his death.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar in his ruling today said there was no doubt in the statements of the victims who were aged 11 and 13 at that time.

Ten months after the alleged incident,   the court found sufficient evidence against Ganima Samuel and Frank John.

They will return to court in two weeks time where their lawyer will indicate whether they will be making any statements in response to the Court finding sufficient evidence against them.

Their co-accused, Pakanda Las who has since left Port Moresby for Mt Hagen will also be expected in court then.

Counsel representing Ganima Samuel, Frank John and Pakanda Las finally filed written submissions before the Waigani District Court on Jan 22 this year.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar made this known in court today after the three accused returned to court but this time without their lawyer.

Bidar said the matter has been a long outstanding case since its first mention on April 15, 2015 in court.

He allowed one final adjournment to Feb 4 to give the youths’ lawyer to be in court before he proceeds with a ruling on the case.

The accused; Ganima Samuel, Frank John and Pakanda Las made their third appearance at the Committal court on charges of abduction, deprivation of liberty and the sexual penetration of two girls below the age of 18 years.

The incident took place on April 3, 2015 at the Motana settlement near Baruni dump.

The girls were aged 10 and 13 years at that time.

Police Prosecutor Chris Iga informed the court that investigations by police are nearing completion with medical reports of the two girls obtained.