Waigani National Court

The Waigani National Court granted leave to Schram’s bail variation application today, allowing him to travel out of the country.

The former two-term VC, who is on a tourist visa, was granted permission to temporarily leave the country and travel to Italy.

The purpose of his trip is to go back to the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, and bring his original PhD certificate, which is the subject of his case in the Committal Court.

The Waigani National Court allowed the withdrawal of the case after leave was sought by Member for Madang, Bryan Kramer.

Kramer asked for the withdrawal after the court refused to allow the injunctive orders of April 30 to be extended for a further seven days.

He sought an adjournment to obtain a copy of the decision (gazettal of regulation) by NICTA regarding deactivation to file his case.

Jude Nidung, David Travolta, Alwin Matiabe, Tobias Samson and Kenneth Yangun, appeared in the National Court today for mention. Gregory Tuaki was not present in court. 

Their trial will not take place this month due to legal representation issues. Their case was adjourned to June 11.

The six are in court over allegations they were involved in a fight on July 25, 2015, which resulted in Grade 11 student, Jeremiah Yinu, being hospitalized after receiving life threatening injuries.

He will return to court on May 14 where submissions will be made on his sentence.

Kevin Unobo, 49 years of age from Gebea village, Central Province, was convicted on Friday for dishonestly applying to his own use a Toyota Land Cruiser, the property of the Central Provincial Government.

He was the liaison officer between the Central Provincial Administration and office of the (former) Governor Alphonse Moroi, in purchasing nine vehicles worth K900,000 for Central police to use in security operations for the 2012 General Elections.

One ground alleging bribery and undue influence respectively were struck out this morning after Marape’s lawyer, Robert Leo, successfully moved a no-case submission before Justice David Cannings.

Following the commencement of trial on Wednesday afternoon, petitioner Johnny Pokaya presented his evidence and witnesses in court.

This morning Marape moved a no-case submission saying there was no case for him to answer to as the petitioner did not provide enough evidence to sustain the allegations.

But according to PNG Laws, he is not a PNG citizen either.

Lawyers at the Public Solicitor’s appeared at the Waigani National Court on Friday seeking an urgent application to have the PNG Immigration Office provide him food and shelter while waiting for his documents to be processed and for the Court to determine his citizenship status.

Daniel Frank Charlie, 45, is walking around in Port Moresby freely without proper immigration documents.

The Waigani National Court today fixed dates for the two respective petitions that were filed by Pastor Bernard Kaku and Joseph Kobol disputing William Powi's election as Governor-elect.

The issue before court to determine surrounds Powi's declaration under special circumstances which was done by the Electoral Commission pursuant to section 175 of the Organic Law.

Moses Maina of Western Highlands Province was arrested on 9 November 2016 on allegations he sent threats to Commissioner Baki between August and November that year using four different SIM cards.

He is not a police officer but was a close informant of the Commissioner and goes by the names of Isis, Jay Kange and Kande, apart from Moses Maina.

The state alleged he sent text messages to the Commissioner on 29 August, 4 September, 2 November and 8 November in 2016, signing off as ‘Snakehead’ and ‘Hunter’ from those four SIM cards.

Gabriel Waik from Enga was sentenced by the Waigani National Court today after he admitted to taking K15,000 from Gabby Piakon.

He ran the Five-Mile wreckers in Port Moresby when he received K15,000 on 16 August 2016 from Piakon, who was involved in the hire car business.

The money was given for the purchase of a vehicle however, no vehicle was delivered to Piakon, resulting in his arrest by police. Only K3,000 was returned.

Waik admitted in court that he took the money under false presence he would sell the car.

The Waigani National Court today ordered for the recount after it was satisfied the Electoral Commission, through the returning officer, failed to accord a request provided under the organic law which was raised by runner-up Sam Akoitai’s scrutineer prior to declaration.

Aggrieved with the results, Akoitai filed the petition, disputing Fr Simon Dumarinu’s election.

Justice Lawrence Kangwia heard evidence in the trial and gave his ruling today.