national court

Law firm Posman Kua Asi, who is representing the late governor who passed on yesterday, indicated they expect the matter before the court will go ahead.

Hela regional member-elect Anderson Agiru died yesterday at the Pacific International Hospital after a long illness.

Agiru’s lawyers maintained he is still the court’s stayed member-elect for Hela until decided by the National Court.

A decision of the case is expected next Wednesday (May 4) however, that will now be subject to the court. The decision was deferred from April 22.

The 246 applicants returned to the National Court today where a consented amount was supposed to be finalised between their lawyer and the Correctional Service.

 This however did not eventuate as counsel for the Correctional Service wanted time to consult the new SC commissioner over the issue.

Justice Ambeng Kandakasi who presided over the matter today allowed an adjournment to March 16 where parties will be expected to come back before him and make submissions.

A finalised amount of how much the retired officers should be paid will be decided from there.

The matter will now return to court on February 29 for directions before an expected trial date is set  in March.

Knight returned to court today with his lawyers where it was brought before the attention of the court that the review books were missing affidavits and exhibits that were tendered in evidence during the leader’s Tribunal sitting last year.

Justice Collin Makail issued orders for the trial to be vacated from today while lawyers representing Knight and members of the tribunal work around sorting out the review books.

The cheques were forged over a period of four months and belonged to the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society.

Ani, while the treasurer of the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society Inc. forged the signature of her immediate boss, Dadi Toka Jnr who was the president at that time.

The incident took place between June 1, 2012 and September 18, 2012.

Ani returned to court with her lawyer today where submissions were made on what appropriate sentence the court should impose on her.

The National Court today sentenced Keith Lasi-Aira of Ihu village to death by hanging after he viciously attacked and chopped three men and a woman to death with a bush knife in the early hours of June 24, 2013.

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika when handing down the sentence described the incident as one of the worst homicide and brutal murder he has seen in the country.   

The cold blooded murder of the four was a merciless act that saw Aira kill the owner of Poomo Enterprise in Koki, along with the wife and two other men.

Governor Wobiro and his co-accused appeared before the Waigani National Court today where a trial date was finalised for March 7.

The trial will be held at the Daru National Court, Western Province where most of the witnesses are located.

Prosecution team indicated they are ready for the trial that includes allegations of misappropriation, conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.

Governor Wobiro, Dr Gumoi and Normal May all remain on an extended court bail until then.

Ari Karu, Mahuta Magani and Boni Gui were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud Tubusereia United Church by withdrawing K37,500 from Heduru Moni Ltd between Nov 1, 2012 and Nov 30, 2012.

They were also charged with one count of misappropriating K37,500, funds belonging to the Tubusereia United Church under the pretext of building a pastor’s house.

They were charged under sections 407 (1)(a) and sections 383A(1)(a) and (2)(d) respectively. 

The matter was supposed to return before acting Judge Danjo Koeget today for ruling however it was deferred to next Tuesday.

This is from an application filed by Mangos at the National Court seeking to remain on the PNG Power payroll as he says his termination was not on directions of the National Executive Council.

The matter last went before the court on Jan 14 where his lawyer, Mal Varitimos told the court his client was appointed by the NEC as the Executive Director of PPL and appointments of the NEC can only be revoked by the NEC itself.

Police indicated before the court that investigators involved in the case are still doing investigation and are yet to serve files to the accused.

The case has been going on since October 2015 and the District Court indicated it will proceed with a ruling on the next mention date whether or not police complete and present investigation files.

The woman (name withheld) of a Bogia, Madang village, had a warrant of arrest issued against her by the court on Dec 8 after she failed to come to court twice.

His lawyers filed an urgent application before lunch today seeking bail, however could not move that application in court as the matter was not listed before a judge.

Aki’s lawyers are now working on getting the matter before a judge to hear it.

He made his first appearance on Thursday before Magistrate John Kaumi at the District Court sitting at Bomana.

From the Western Highlands Province, Aki was arrested early this week and charged for the alleged willful murder of a woman (his wife).