Court martial

Mutiny soldiers’ bail converted to fine

They returned before Defence Force Judge Panuel Mogish, who converted their bail to the K1000 fine that he ordered each of them to pay.

It was brought before the attention of the court today that each of the soldiers actually paid K1,500 bail early this year.

The additional K500 paid was for one of the two guarantors who would ensure they adhere to their respective bail conditions. The other guarantor was the chaplain of the barracks chapel. He paid a total of K6000, that’s K500 each for the soldiers.

Court Martial adjourned again

The matter returned before Deputy Defence Force Judge, Justice Allan David this morning however it was adjourned to give State lawyers and the PNGDF more time to complete relevant court files.

Counsel representing the State and PNGDF Captain David Kuvi told the court they are yet to conduct record of interview with four of the 11 officers who were charged for Mutiny and misconduct on an operational service under the Defence Force Act.

He indicated that most of the witness statements  the State will be relying on have been collected.

Soldiers move bail application in mutiny case

Commissioned lawyers to the military ranks of captain, Leslie Mamu, Edward Sasingian and Wesley Dickson moved the application for their clients, the 11 officers of the Defence Force today (Jan 9).

They moved the bail application of K500 each or an amount at the discretion of the court and pledged an amount of K300 each for two guarantors to the 11 officers. 

Deputy Defence Force Judge, Justice Allan David, after hearing the application reserved his ruling for Monday morning January 11 at 9:30.

Officers on mutiny charge file for bail

Their lawyer from the Public Solicitors office, Garry Tine informed the Court Martial sitting today that they have filed and served notices of a bail application they wish to move.

Tine indicated that application will be moved in court tomorrow (Jan 9) when the sitting resumes.