Magistrate John Kaumi

​Waigani armed robbery defendants arraigned

Richard Asiba of the South Fly in Western Province, Thomas Lohia Charlie of Pari village in Central Province and Gabriel Harangu, of East Sepik Province, all appeared before Magistrate John Kaumi, where their charges were read and explained to them in court this week.

The three are in court after they were arrested and charged with armed robbery.

It is alleged the three men on May 8, carjacked a KIA sportage car that was owned by the Post-Courier along Sikit Street, Waigani.

Sea piracy case awaits submissions

This case has been outstanding because the court is awaiting submissions from the six defendants’ lawyers.

It went for mention on Monday during a Committal Court sitting before Magistrate John Kaumi at Bomana, where he adjourned the case to July 17.

Destruction of illegal fishing vessels delayed

The vessels were used by 50 Vietnamese fishermen who had been fishing in PNG waters off Budibidi Island in Milne Bay Province. This was on December 22, 2016.

The two illegal vessels were ordered early this year to be destroyed by the court.

They were towed out of Fairfax Harbour at midday yesterday by the PNG Defence Force Navy vessel HMPNGS Buna to a sinking site outside Port Moresby. 

The destruction was organised by the National Fisheries Authority and planned to be carried out by the PNGDF Navy's explosive ordinance and diving team.

Police officer to stand trial for sexual assault

The Waigani Committal Court found sufficient evidence against Jerike Mokamane, an officer attached with public safety to put his case to the National Court.

Magistrate John Kaumi ordered the committal yesterday. Mokamane will appear for listing in the National Court on May 29.

The 31-year-old from Kombokande village, Kerowagi, Chimbu Province is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 17-year-old inside the Boroko Police station on December 13, 2015 while she was in custody.

The victim was brought to the station by her husband's relatives following a dispute.

Kapris expected in court today

His case was listed for ruling on Tuesday morning before Magistrate John Kaumi however, it was adjourned to Thursday.

This comes after the 53-year-old from Suapri village, Maprik District in the East Sepik Province, was arrested in Port Moresby on Sept 13, 2016, and charged with four charges under the Criminal Code.

He was charged with two counts of misappropriation of properties, two counts of abuse of office, one count of stealing by false pretense and one count of conspiracy to defraud.

Father on trial for sexually assaulting daughter

Magistrate John Kaumi of the Waigani Committal Court sent the case of the man to the National Court on Tuesday after the lower court found there was sufficient evidence against him.

The Port Moresby-based soldier, whose identity is being withheld due to the age of the victim, is expected to appear in the National Court on March 20 for listing.

He was arrested in July 2015 and charged with the persistent child sexual abuse under section 229 of the Criminal Code and Sexual Offenses and Crimes Against Children’s Act.

Man to stand trial for assault

Presiding Magistrate, John Kaumi revealed this to Ikasa today at the Bomana Court House

Ikasa is currently in custody at the Bomana Correctional facility.

He was arrested and charged earlier this year with Sexual Penetration and Attempted Murder after assaulting his girlfriend Monica Bellilo.

The incident occurred on March 19, after a night out at a club with Monica.

The assault was really bad, with Monica sustaining serious injuries and was hospitalised for several days.

Lawyer arrested over conspiracy

Timothy Cooper, 41, of Yanga village in the Ahi sub-district of Morobe Province appeared at the Waigani District Court.

Magistrate John Kaumi read the charges to him in court and adjourned the matter to Sept 22. His bail is extended however he is required to provide two affidavits of two guarantors who will ensure he attends his court hearing as well as an affidavit stating his place of residence.

60yo European in court over allegations of stealing

60-year-old Alexander Georgiev, of Bulgaria, briefly appeared before Magistrate John Kaumi where his charges were read to him before his case was adjourned to Sept 22.

Police allege that between late December 2015 and 15 July, along the Sir Hubert Murray Highway, Georgiev stole machines and equipment valued at K1.5m, the property of Dennis Kai. He allegedly stole the properties from Kai’s premises at Burns Peak, Port Moresby.

Court dismisses case against Mangos

The Committal Court today dismissed the case against Mangos on three charges involving the post he previously held at PNG Power.

He was arrested and charged on March 15 for dishonestly applying the property of PNG Power, abuse of office and conspiring to defraud PNG Power. 

Magistrate John Kaumi of the Committal Court today gave his ruling on the case, saying evidence by police investigators did not meet the elements that would amount to sufficient evidence before the court.