District Court

9yo’s assault case still in court

 The 24-year-old’s case will return in two weeks’ time, where he is expected to file a statement in response to the court finding enough evidence to put his case for trial in the National Court.

Last month, the Central Committal Court ruled there was prima facie case established against the man from Abau district.

He was arrested on Dec 29, 2016, and charged for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl while she was alone at home, between 10 and 11am.

Twivey’s bail reviewed

Twivey’s lawyer appeared before Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika on Monday, where her District Court bail conditions were converted to National Court bail conditions. She remains on an extended bail of K1,000.

The State and her lawyers were also told to file pre-trial review statements before a trial date can be set. The matter returns to court on May 1.

On March 9, Twivey was committed to stand trial in the Waigani National Court to answer to allegations of perverting the course of justice in 2015.

Senior Lawyer charged with contempt

The senior lawyer who has over 25 years of experience was fined K200 by Magistrate Mekeo Gauli for shouting at him in court because he didn't agree with the court's decision to detain his client.

Realizing his outburst in court, he later apologised to the magistrate.

His client appeared in court for the first time today since his arrest last year on 14 counts of fraudulently utter and 14 counts of forgery.

Tony Mark Ekepa is alleged to have forged signatures belonging to other persons 14 times on 23 Aug 2011 at the IPA house, Konebobu, NCD.

Student on sex charge allowed bail

The defendant’s lawyers obtained bail from the Waigani District Court today because he was a student and needed to attend classes in his “important year in school”.

He was detained at the Waigani Police cells. Bail was granted to him at K500. His two guarantors will pledge K200 each to ensure he adheres to all his bail conditions.

He has been restrained from contacting the victim, he is not to commit the same offence again while on bail and must remain in NCD until his case is finalised. If he wishes to leave NCD, he is to seek leave of the court.

Bail decision for deported refugee pending

Sawari is the refugee who was deported to PNG on Friday February 3 from Fiji. He went to court proposing bail to be granted at K500.

 He was transported to the CIS facility at Bomana soon after the court hearing, where he will be remanded in separate confinement till Tuesday.

He was remanded at the Boroko Police station holding cell on Thursday night. The cell is currently undergoing renovation and police allowed for him to be confined there for only one night.

Refugee appear in court over drug charge

He briefly appeared in court without a lawyer before Magistrate Alex Kalandi on Friday.

The 31-year-old was arrested and charged on January 10 over allegations of being in possession of marijuana. A charge that falls under section 3(1)(d) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Movafagh’s matter was listed for mention on Thursday, however it was stood over to Friday to give time for relevant court documents to be sorted.

Still no show in court for Malaysian woman

Anita Ting Mee Siong was supposed to appear in court with her lawyer before magistrate Alex Kalandi on Monday however she failed to turn up.

The case against the 34-year-old from Sibu, Sarawak city, Malaysia was adjourned for the third time to next week. She failed to turn up in court twice last week and again this week.

Siong was charged on Dec 12, 2016, on allegations that between July 18, 2015 and Dec 10, 2016, she remained in the country without a valid visa.

She was charged under section 16 (1)(a) of the Migration act and released on police bail of K10,000.

Men on trial over drugs

Malibu Tu, 29, from Laiagam, Enga Province, 25-year-old Kelly Ango of Pamas Wabag, Enga Province and 23-year-old Nelson Albert of Tari, Hela Province appeared in court on Friday.

They were arrested and charged with being in possession of dangerous drugs, under Section 3(1)(d) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

They pleaded not guilty to allegations they had 13 packs of marijuana rolls on them, on Jan 1, 2017 at Henoa Drive, Five-Mile. The packs have a street value at K1 each.

Soldier in court over New Year incident

Joe Mondo went before Magistrate Maristella Painap on Friday where his charge was read and explained to him in court.

His case will go for trial on Jan 26 after he pleaded not guilty to the allegations against him.

He was arrested and charged with being in possession of a pistol without a license, a charge under Section 27 (a) of the Firearms Act.

It is alleged on Dec 31, 2016 , he had a P-85 calibre pistol in his possession along the Taurama road when he did not have a license.

Man pleads guilty to assault over alcohol

Debaim Kewa appeared at the Boroko District Court this week after he was arrested and charged on Dec 15, 2016 for unlawfully assaulting a woman on Dec 13,2016 over alcohol.

Police allege that Kewa went to the complainant, Lina James around 5pm on Dec 13 last year while under the influence of alcohol and demanded he be given K50 so he can go and buy more alcohol.  The woman refused saying she had no money which prompted the attack.