Willie Gare

The trial against Willie Gare on six charges of human trafficking and one count of rape will continue after the court dismissed an application yesterday, which asked the court to acquit him of all the charges.

The trial against Gare commenced on 4 October at the Waigani National court with seven counts of human trafficking and one of rape.

The trial, presided by Justice Panuel Mogish, saw the fourth state witness take the stand today.

Businessman Willie Gare of Gumine, Chimbu Province, is standing at the National Court for six counts of human trafficking, one count of aggravated human trafficking and one count of rape. 

Gare who has pleaded not guilty to all the charges was allegedly involved in the recruitment and transportation of two boys and eight girls from Lealea and Boera villages, to Kundiawa on 30 July 2015, to perform at the opening of a lodge on 14 August, 2015.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar issued the warrant for Willie Gare on Thursday after he failed to return to court on the date he suggested.

This comes after the court on August 31 ruled it had overwhelming evidence to commit Gare to stand trial at the National Court.

He was supposed to return to court on Thursday and make a response to the court's findings, which is his section 96 statement. However, he failed to do so.

Willie Gare of the Gumine district of Chimbu Province is facing allegations in a case that is somewhat rare in the country.

He returned to the Committal Court on Wednesday where Magistrate Cosmas Bidar made his ruling on the sufficiency of evidence. He is expected back in court on Sept 29 where his lawyer will make a response in the court finding sufficient evidence against him, this being his section 96 statement.