Justice Martin Ipang

Judge Ipang passes on

Tari Resident judge, Justice Martin Ipang has passed on, leaving a big gap for the judiciary to fill in the now troubled Hela provincial capital.

The late judge passed away in Port Moresby on Tuesday. It is understood he was brought to Port Moresby for medical treatment.

His body remains in Port Moresby and funeral arrangements are being organised by the Judiciary.

The late judge begun his career as a magistrate before attaining his Law degree from the Univerity of Papua New Guinea.

He presided as a magistrate at in Lae  before he was appointed to the bench.

Judge echoes calls to look at polygamy

A judge in delivering sentence against a woman, who was earlier convicted for the wilful murder of her husband’s other wife, says presently there are calls to end polygamy in the country.

The courts have also been flooded with similar cases and Hela residential judge, Justice Martin Ipang, says the duty is now on parliament to act.

He says until parliament acts on polygamous marriages, men are under social obligation not to marry more than one woman, unless they are able to support everyone.

Man guilty of assaulting 6yo

Justice Martin Ipang, in giving his verdict, said the medical report provided in court proved beyond reasonable doubt he committed the offence.

The child victim gave evidence in court, identifying the man and demonstrated what he did to her on 18 September 2015 in the family home in Port Moresby.

However, he had an alibi, saying he had friends over that day - listening to music, telling stories and cooking and could not have possibly assaulted the girl.

Western Governor’s sentence adjourned

Governor Wobiro, former Western Provincial Administrator Dr Modowa Gumoi, and Fly Care Foundation Inc. boss Norman Carl May, appeared in court this morning with their lawyers. However, the sentencing was deferred because the judge was not ready with his decision.

Justice Martin Ipang is now expected to hand down his decision on their sentence on Nov 18.

The three were found guilty on July 26 for conspiring to establish the Fly Care Foundation between January 1 and December 30, 2013, by using over more than K7m funding from the provincial government.