Late Jeremiah Yinu

The late Yinu was 17 when he left his families and friends behind on Oct 7 last year. He died a month short of his 18th birthday.

One year on, the case surrounding his death is still undergoing the Committal Court process, with a ruling scheduled to take place on Oct 6 at the Waigani District Court.

This will see the court give its ruling on whether it has sufficient evidence against accused Jude Nidung, David Travolta, Gregory Tuaki, Alwin Matiabe, Tobias Samson and Kenneth Yangun.

Jude Nidung, David Travolta, Gregory Tuaki, Alwin Matiabe, Tobias Samson and, Kenneth Yangun briefly appeared before Magistrate John Kaumi today. They will be expected back in court on June 28.

Their lawyer is also expected to present submissions before the court next month in response to the completed police hand-out brief or investigation files that were served to them following their re-arrest in March.

The soldiers’ case was struck out on March 16 at the Committal Court after investigators failed to produce completed investigation files in time before the court.

This follows their release from custody after bail of K5000 was granted to them by Justice Panuel Mogish of the Waigani National Court.

They were allowed bail by the court last Wednesday after their lawyer Ignatius Mambei moved the application on Tuesday.

They are expected before Magistrate John Kaumi where their lawyer Mambei will give an indication of submissions in response to the Police’s completed hand out brief.

Currently held at the Military Police holding cell at Murray Barracks, the six are expected back in court before Magistrate John Kaumi for mention at the Bomana Court house. 

They are Jude Nidung (24) from Finschhafen in Morobe, David Travolta (23) from Nuknuk village in Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Gregory Tuaki (28) of Dinam village, Bogia district in Madang, Alwin Matiabe (26) from Guala village, Koroba district in Hela Province, Tobias Samson (26) from Singing village, Baiyer district, Western Highlands Province and Kenneth Yangun (25) of Mendi in Southern Highlands Province.

 It allowed K5, 000 cash bail for the six accused Jude Nidung, David Travolta, Gregory Tuaki, Alwin Matiabe, Tobias Samson, Kenneth Yangun.

Justice Panuel issued strict bail conditions for the six accused.

They are not to leave the barracks of residence between 6pm and 6am, they are not allowed to carry firearms and are also not allowed to travel out of Port Moresby (even for training purposes, they are to seek approval from the Court).