Tatana Shooting

Father gives evidence in Tatana trial

The trial against five police officers who were at Tatana that day to investigate a previous murder, continued today before Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.

The trials against Philip Pokop, Lawrence Sausau, Ian Gunawi, Mariah Jones and Jeffrey Sheekiot continued into day three today.

They were on duty investigating the murder of another man, the late Harold Farapo, when they allegedly shot one of the two main suspects in the murder,  the late Saleh Naime Tom, also known as Charlie Naime.

This morning the Councilor of Tatana-Araira gave evidence in court.

Another man stands trial over Tatana shooting

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today ordered the committal of Jeffery Sheekiot of Madang Province to the National Court for trial.

The order came after the committal court considered Sheekiot’s statement in response to its earlier ruling last month. The court then ruled there was enough evidence for his case to go for trial.

​Tatana shooting: Sufficient evidence against accused

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar yesterday morning ruled there was enough evidence in the case against Jeffery Sheekiot of Madang Province to commit his case to the National Court.

But before his case can be committed, Magistrate Bidar allowed his lawyer to address the court on it finding sufficient evidence against him.

He will return to court on July 19 where his lawyer will make submission on section 96 statement.

He was arrested on July 28, 2016, in Port Moresby and charged with wilful murder.

This week in court – review

One significant case that got dismissed by the Supreme Court this week was the one involving the PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP).

The case got dismissed today (Friday) after Sir Mekere Morauta filed an application challenging the government’s decision to acquire shares belonging to the PNGSDP.

The court found that Sir Mekere did not have standing to bring such applications in court as a private citizen, and the correct party that should be in a court of law seeking relief in the application should the company, SDP, and not its chairman, Sir Mekere.

Sheekiot allowed K1000 bail

He said the Court must also be mindful of this and treat people differently due to risks involved when detained.

He made these comments when he allowed K1000 bail this afternoon (Friday) for the fifth accused that was arrested and charged for his alleged involvement in the Tatana shooting on January 17, 2015.

The court used its discretion in granting bail to 33-year-old Jeffery Sheekiot of Sumusamu village, Bogia, Madang Province, after his lawyer appeared before the National Court this morning and moved a bail application.

Fifth accused in Tatana shooting in court

 The 38-year-old Jeffery Sheekiot of Sumusamu village, Bogia, Madang was brought to appear in court yesterday following his arrest on July 28 in Port Moresby.

Sheekiot is alleged to be among a group of police officers who conducted a raid at Tatana village early last year while investigating the murder of another man, the late Harold Farapo. During the raid, he in the company of others allegedly shot the late Saleh Naime Tom, also known as Charlie Naime.

PNG Loop’s 5@5

Government plans fitting farewell for Sir Michael

The National Government will give a chiefly farewell to the country’s first Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare when he pulls down his political carrier in nine months’ time, after 48 years in politics.

http://www.looppng.com/content/government-plans-fitting-farewell-sir-michael

 

Police arrest another Tatana shooting suspect

Police arrest another Tatana shooting suspect

PNG Loop was told that the Police Constable was arrested during a dawn raid by police investigators at his family residence on Thursday morning (July 28th).

Assistant police commissioner of crimes Victor Isouve informed PNG Loop the Constable was arrested at the home of his father who is also a former Assist police Commissioner.

Based here in Port Moresby and the man has been on the run for the past year and a half evading investigators.

Tatana shooting: Female Police officer arrested

The officer, Chief Inspector Maria Johns has been charged with one count wilful murder under section 299 (1) of the Criminal Code.

Johns was arrested and charged on Monday afternoon after investigators proved that she was present during the shooting of Tatana man Charlie Naime.

Assistant policer commissioner crimes Victor Isouve says that investigators established that after Naime was shot John’s  bashed the head his head with a pistol.

4th defendant in Tatana shooting in court

Mariah Johns of Kubalia, Yangoru-Saussia district, East Sepik Province was arraigned in court today for one charge of willful murder.

She currently remains in police custody and is expected to move a bail application at the National Court.

Johns is alleged to have been involved in a police raid that led to the shooting at Tatana village on January 17, 2015.  She is expected back in court on May 6.