Waigani Commital Court

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.

Case against Kapris dismissed

Magistrate John Kaumi on Thursday delivered his ruling on the case saying there was insufficient evidence in court to commit Kapris to stand trial in the National Court.The court was of the view that the allegations raised against the former MP were based on opinions rather than facts.

The 53-year-old from Suapri village, Maprik District in the East Sepik Province was arrested in Port Moresby on September 13, 2016.

Sorcery related deaths rife, says magistrate

Waigani Commital Court senior Magistrate Cosmos Bidar said many times sorcery retaliation killing are committed without actual proof.

He said many who die are innocent people with no proof of practicing sorcery.

He made these comments when arraigning a Lufa man who appeared in his court room for the first time over allegations he attempted to kill two other men at Garden Hills in July.

Yinu case is struck out, not dismissed

This was clarified to Loop by police prosecution.

The case against soldiers Jude Nidung, Kenneth Yangun, David Travolta, Gregory Tuaki, Alwin Matiabe and Tobias Samson was struck out in court yesterday after an investigating officer from the Police Criminal Investigation Department failed to produce his completed investigation files in time before the court.

Woman in custody for killing husband

She appeared at the Waigani Committal court on Thursday morning.

Hellen Palana was charged for the wilful murder of her husband after they had an argument on Sunday night, Feb 7.

She remains in custody but is at liberty to apply for bail at the National Court as the Committal Court does not have the jurisdiction to allow bail for wilful murder.

It is alleged she stabbed her husband resulting in his death.