District Court

Lawyer representing the six police officers made submissions in court today in response to the police prosecution hand-up brief, outlining three main points in the evidence act.

The officers are members of the Police Mobile Squad Special Service Division; Samuel Turi, Arnold Zilong, Tuom Tutuk, Ronald Nelson, Carl Inoumba and Jeremiah Buigen.

The court was told by the defendants’ lawyer that there was nothing for the court to consider because the evidence before the court was not produced in the proper way. The evidence was not tendered in court.

Tapo, from Sohoneriu village in Lorengau, Manus, was alleged to have misappropriated K1,208,883.21 between June and December 2012, by abusing his authority to raise cheque payments.

Police allege that Tapo paid to the managing director of Yumi Yet Construction Ltd those monies for the purpose of building, maintenance and renovation of classrooms and teachers’ houses in NCD schools.

This allegedly took place after he was appointed chairman of a working committee that was formed to assist NCD education services on contractors’ outstanding payments.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today dismissed the case because police could not prove the students unlawfully used a vehicle on June 24 this year.

The case against Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divina Marus and Frank Luwai was dismissed after police prosecution brought before the attention of the court that the students used the vehicle with the consent of the owner.

The vehicle was on hire and the students were genuine customers at the time it was used.

They were charged on June 27 for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

His lawyer, Adam Ninkama moved an application before the Committal Court, asking the court to quash that search warrant as well as a warrant for his arrest that was obtained from the District Court last year.

He told Magistrate Cosmas Bidar that the search warrant date July 3, 2015 is defective as it was not obtained in the right manner.

This warrant was used by police to search the Chuave Treasury office and obtain files which were used in the investigation against Mori which led to his arrest on official corruption charges.

The 27-year-old, Serah James of Kipiriminda village in the Kompiam-Ambum district of Enga province is facing murder charges for the death of Veronica Kila, a woman from Western Highlands who was also married to her husband, Chan Kaeyo.

James appeared at the Waigani District Court for a ruling to be handed down on whether there is sufficient evidence against her to stand trial at the National Court.

That ruling did not eventuate as James’ lawyer was unavailable due to family obligations. She asked the court to adjourn her case as she wanted her lawyer in court.

Moses Nianpo, who is 30-years-old from the Angoram district, appeared at the Waigani Committal Court on allegations he killed his wife. He is currently remanded at Bomana.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar described his case as an ‘unfortunate one’ which resulted from an accidental death.

He said many times women suffer from enlarged spleen which can be caused from mosquito bites and in this case, Nianpo was in court for allegedly punching his wife in the stomach which raptured the enlarged spleen and caused her death.

Senior Committal Court magistrate Cosmas Bidar today committed Willie Gare, 42 years of Gumine district, Chimbu Province to stand trial on allegations he was involved in recruiting and transporting young 11 Motuans to Kundiawa town in Chimbu.

He returned to the Waigani District Court today after he failed to turn up in court last week Thursday which saw a warrant issued by the District court for his arrest.

Bethsiba Tobi of Kombri village, Henganofi district in the Eastern Highlands Province, appeared in court for five counts of obtaining money by false pretense between Aug 11 and 17 at Five-Mile in Port Moresby.

During that period, it was alleged she borrowed various amounts totaling K4,500 from a Glenda  Kenga, and was expected to repay all the money. However, she went beyond the payment period, which resulted in her arrest after Kenga reported the matter.

She allegedly borrowed K300 on Aug 11, K2000 on Aug 13, K1000 on Aug 15, K200 on Aug 14 and K1000 on Aug 17. 

The officers briefly appeared at the Waigani Committal Court today for mention with their lawyer Frederick Lunge.

They were served copies of their Hand-up briefs or the Police investigation files in June however their lawyer told the court he needed more time to peruse the files and prepare his submissions in response.

He said the files were thick and he needed another month to respond in writing his submissions.

Senior Committal Court Magistrate Cosmas Bidar then adjourned the matter for another month. They will return to court on Oct 20.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today issued directions to Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divina Marus and Frank Luwai to present themselves to the police investigator handling their case and undergo their respective record of interviews.

They were charged on June 27 for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The records of interviews of the accused remain outstanding and are needed by the investigation officer to compile his reports which are the Hand-up brief to the court.