POLICE in Jiwaka Province have uprooted a marijuana garden near a primary school, the Post-Courier reports.
Members of the Kudjip based Highway Patrol 4 raided a location next to the Papen Primary School near Kindeng and uprooted the illicit plants.
The Police mobile unit with the marijuana plants they uprooted.
The policemen said it was a disgrace to see marijuana plants growing next to the primary school and exposed to the students.
They appealed to the surrounding people living near all the schools in the area not to cultivate such illegal drags as it would only affect their communities.
The policemen destroyed the marijuana and dump them at the nearby River Tuman
A WOMAN of dual Papua New Guinean and Australian citizenship found guilty by the National Court of murdering her lover, British yachtsman John Hulse, was yesterday set free by the Supreme Court in Port Moresby.
According to Post-Courier report, Taita Pritchard, who was brought to the Waigani Court House from Bomana jail, broke down in tears when the court told her she was acquitted of the murder verdict and the 30-years prison term handed by Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika at the National Court.
Waigani National and Supreme Court
She was convicted on a charge of willful murder in February along with her cousin James Paru, a former soldier. Paru received the same prison term.
She then filed this appeal alleging the evidence used to convict her was inadmissible and that she was denied an allocutus.
The bench comprising Justices Les Gavara-Nanu, Derek Hartshorn and Terence Higgins acquitted Pritchard on grounds that the evidence used to convict her were inadmissible and she was never administered an allocutus. The evidence in question is a confessional statement by Paru.
An allocutus is a formal statement made to court by the defendant who has been found guilty prior to being sentenced.
It is compulsory and it allows the defendant to explain why the sentence should be lenient.
In its ruling the bench said the decision was reached by Sir Gibbs from the confessional statement “…. it has no evidentiary value of weight against the appellant (Pritchard).”
The court said this is because Paru’s statement was never corroborated.
It further stated, “Even if such evidence (Paru’s statement) had been in admissible form, the trial judge would have needed to warn himself that such evidence should not be used against an accused unless corroborated.”
In terms of being denied allocutus, the prosecution agreed that Pritchard was not administered any submission on sentence and conceded to Pritchard’s appeal for sentencing be suspended.
IAN Chow, the managing director of Lae Biscuit Company, has been convicted of smuggling into the country firearm parts and accessories undeclared by Papua New Guinea Customs Service.
Lae District Court magistrate Jeremiah Singomat imposed a K25,000 fine on Mr Chow after finding him guilty of which he has paid, according to his lawyers.
Ian Chow
The undeclared goods confiscated by the Customs include empty ammunition shells, live bullets and gunpowder shipped into Lae four years ago, on April 14, 2012.
In sentencing Mr Chow last month, Mr Singomat indicated that the defendant had shipped a container (identified) under his name containing items which he failed to declare with Customs.
Mr Singomat also stated that the defendant had cooperated with the Customs officials leading to him being charged with smuggling undeclared items, contrary to section 149 (1) of the Customs Act 101.
He also indicated that the lawyer for the defendant entered a guilty plea and made submissions on sentence.
Mr Singomat said the early plea amounts to mitigation and it was also the view of the court that the defendant had not done wrong in the law by mistake.
“He is an educated person, had been in the country as a citizen and had imported items as a nature of his family business many times before the date he committed this particular criminal act in 2012. More importantly, the defendant has the knowledge of the Customs laws of the country,” Mr Singomat said.
In pleading guilty to the smuggling charge Mr Chow had admitted reckless wrongdoing by trying to short cut the process and not completing the importation documentation.
He said he did it because his house had been destroyed by fire and the Lae shooting club under his presidency needed the ammunition.
Mr Chow indicated that the case had resulted in his employment being terminated and leaving him in exile in Thailand for the last four years.
He returned to PNG in August and presented himself to relevant authorities to be indicted accordingly.
A DEATH row inmate convicted of raping a married woman in front of her two-year-old daughter and then using an iron bar to beat them to death has escaped from custody.
The Post-Courier reported today that the convict, Ben Simakot Simbu, 31, from Yangkok in West Sepik Province was convicted of willfully murdering Wupiano and Francisca Menapol at their home in Vanimo in 2002 after Wupiano had refused to give him a live chicken on credit.
He was sentenced in March 2004 by Justice Ambeng Kandakasi.
He has been serving time at Bomana jail, outside Port Moresby, and escaped last Monday while visiting Port Moresby General Hospital’s eye clinic.
The prison’s commanding officer Haraha Keko is appealing to the public to report to his office if they know of the fugitive’s whereabouts.
Simakot becomes fugitive number 209 who has escaped from jail and is on the run. “A search was launched right after my office was notified of the escape. All known contacts including the police have been alerted.
“My management and I would really appreciate if the public can assist in his quick apprehension.”
Mr Keko said that the Bomana clinics can only cater for minor medical cases, thus, Simbu was allowed out to receive treatment at Port Moresby General Hospital.
“We do not have a qualified medical practitioner employed on site to do assessments prior to referrals. In this case a medical leave of absence was accorded.
“Most escapees run away while visiting PMGH. It is the prime responsibility of the escorting officer to keep close watch,” he said.
On Monday, Aipit Balos, a Bomana jail escapee who had been on the run for 23 years, surrendered to Correctional Services officers.
Like Simakot, Balos, a convicted murderer, had escaped while a tuberculosis patient at Port Moresby General Hospital.
Another death row convict is also still on the run.
He is Kepak Langa of Sangurap in Wabag, Enga Province, who has been on the run since he and 29 others escaped from Baisu jail in Western Highlands Province on January 1 last year.
Correctional Services Commissioner Andrew Waipo could not be contacted yesterday for comment.
Others on death row in various jails in PNG are Gregory Klapkot, 41, Lokanai, New Ireland, murder and sea piracy, convicted July 2011, Martin Pigi, 39, New Ireland Province, murder and sea piracy, convicted July 2011, Peter Taul, 39, Pilapila, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, convicted July 2011, Ambose Lati, 49, Wabag, Enga Province, murder, convicted 2009, Tobung Paraide, 43, Pilapila, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, July 2011, Bochea Agena, 44, Duke of York Islands, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, July 2011, Kenny Wesley, 38, Duke of York Islands, murder and sea piracy, July 2011, Sedoki Lota, 21, Milne Bay, murder, 2007; Selman Amos, 64, Kait, Konoagil, New Ireland, murder; Misialis Amos, Kait, Konoagil, murder; Mark Poroll, 33, Koroba, Southern Highlands, murder.
Early this year, Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika imposed the death penalty on Keith Lasi Aira for the hacking to death of four Chinese nationals in Port Moresby in 2013.
AN engineer accused of tapping into the Digicel network and stealing more than K400,000 worth of phone credits had his case thrown out of court in Port Moresby for want of prosecution.
According to Post-Courier reports, Robert Koregu, 23, from Mehenave village, Henganofi, Eastern Highlands Province, was charged with dishonestly applying to the use of 677 unknown Digicel customers, K432,719 worth of credits.
Waigani District Court
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar yesterday dismissed the charges against Mr Koregu and ordered that his K1000 bail be refunded.
This came as police prosecutor Polon Koniu informed the court at Waigani that the Digicel employees behind the initial police complaint were not helpful during investigations. Thus, a police hand-up brief was yet to be compiled and served to Mr Koregu.
Magistrate Bidar said pursuant to section 37 of the Constitution, someone charged with an offense had the right to be heard within a “reasonable period of time.”
In the committal court stage, this is usually three months. Mr Koregu made his first court appearance in May.
Yesterday was well over three months, thus the case was thrown out as little was being done.
The initial complaint, or police summary of facts, alleged that Mr Koregu connected his computer to his employer, Ericson PNG’s network and typed in a “password” that enabled him to enter the Digicel information and technology system and fraudulently send a sum of credits between K590 and K760 to 677 unknown customers.
The police summary of facts stated that the fraud was discovered by Digicel PNG which used their IT system to trace the links back to the computer that Mr Koregu usually uses, the complaint was laid at the Waigani police station.
He denied committing the offence and the matter was taken to court.
PRISONERS serving terms in the Bihute jail in the Eastern Highlands Province are conducting awareness for people in the province to shun criminal activities, the Post-Courier reports.
This is under a rehabilitation program organised by Correctional Services officers where prisoners visit communities and openly speak to people on issues like rape, murder, robbery, stealing and many more that got them behind bars.
Bihute prisoners conducting awareness
On Sunday they were invited to Kenemba village in Asaro by the Foursquare Church under the leadership of Pastor Francis Komokore.
Led by supervisor Corporal James Patatie, they told the public that people are not meant to spend their lives in prisons but to live freely and enjoy life.
Inmate David Ilailo, who is servicing 99 years for double murder, and who is now a converted Christian told the people that life behind bars is no life at all.
“I will come out of jail after another 89 years as I have served 10 years already but by then, I would be dead and I would have no children or family of my own or there would be no legacy left behind,” Mr Ilailo told the people.
“That is just because I killed two people without thinking twice and now I regret it but I will serve my term to serve justice for what I have done.”
Pimul Komeao is another inmate who is serving 17 years for murder.
Komeao is a former councilor and a community leader but was involved in an election related murder.
He said prison is no place for people who know it is wrong to committee a crime but still do it resulting in prison sentences.
“I discourage young people from doing that and I urge them to live a honest life and refrain from committing crimes that will put them in prison,” he said.
Corporal Patatie said the awareness program is having a big impact in the communities and thanked Bihute jail commanding officer Superintendent Simon Lakeng for allowing the prisoners to conduct it.
CORRECTIONAL Services Commissioner Michael Waipo has appealed to all 208 escapees still on the run nationwide to surrender, according to Post-Courier report today.
His appeal comes after escapee Aipit Balos turned himself in to Bomana jail prison guards yesterday after 23 years on the run.
Correctional Services Commissioner Michael Waipo
Mr Waipo said the action taken by Balos was an example others should follow to surrender.
“I urge other escapees to take heed and follow the fine example set by Balos. Their surrender will work in their favour in terms of rehabilitation and parole hearings.” Mr Waipo said.
“We do not have to run after every prisoner who escapes. When you escape you only endanger your lives, give yourself up and rest assured that we will work together with you to ensure that any issue you have within the prison is resolved.”
Deputy Commissioner of Operations Dennis Piandi said that the surrender of Mr Balos set an example for those who were still at large.
“I commend Balos for turning himself in and I am very happy that he decided to take this action which otherwise would have caused his family pain,” Mr Piandi said.
Earlier, Mr Waipo said that a total of 208 escapees were still at large according to last year’s records.
The numbers vary with a relatively small number recorded in Southern region jails compared with 103 escapee from Northern region jails.
Mr Waipo said that there were a number of issues that were hindering the capability of the CS to recapture the prisoners.
“Our capability is at a minimum but there is some hope and we are hoping that rehabilitation will be a factor to get more stakeholders on board to assist and entice escapees to willingly come forward.”
“We want to do away with the environment and culture we have currently at the prisons and ensure the environment is friendly to assist the escapees to return,” Mr Waipo said, adding that the capacity, mobility, communications and the methods of the dissemination of information to the media was a problem that would be looked at.
“Relatives and friends are a good place to start when searching for escapees and we would like to get the families and friends of any escapees on board to ensure there is an opportunity for the escapees to return,” Mr Waipo said.
A CONVICTED murderer who fathered six children while on the run for 23 years surrendered to Correctional Services officers yesterday morning at Bomana jail, outside Port Moresby.
According to the exclusive report by Post-Courier, Aipit Balos, in his 40s, from Pyakin village in Laiagam district of Enga Province, is now likely to be charged with escaping from lawful custody.
Former escapee Aipit Balos (with bagpack) escorted by Correctional Services senior operations officer Ruben Manamb through the prison gate at Bomana in Port Moresby.
His surrender yesterday prompted Correctional Services Commissioner Andrew Waipo to appeal to the other 208 prison escapees nationwide to surrender to police.
Balos was charged with willful murder in Wabag in 1991 and jailed for 29 years and seven months. He was serving his sentence at Baisu jail in the Western Highlands when he contracted tuberculosis.
In 1994 Balos was transferred to Bomana jail to get treatment at Port Moresby General Hospital and in 1995 he became a fugitive when he was forcefully removed from the ward by a family member on August 16.
“They took me to a shop and locked me up there, and instead of killing me they got me a ticket and flew me back to Wabag where I have remained since 1995,” he said yesterday at the jail gates.
And with a smile he gathered his bag, walked back into Bomana jail, set it on the ground and stepped forward without a word to present himself to the warders.
Many of the warders, who would have started working after Balos had escaped, could only look on in shock when he was announced as an escapee who had returned after being on the run since 1995.
Mr Balos said that he had changed his life and was now more determined to serve his time and allow the court system in PNG to decide on his sentence. He was so determined to return to serve his term that he bought his own ticket to Port Moresby.
“I left Port Moresby and went back to Wabag where got I married and had six children, two of whom have since died.
“I turned my life around and proceeded to take part in church activities in which time I gave my life to the Lord.
“Turning myself in is a personal decision I made. Many of my family members have tried to persuade me from walking back to prison but I will stand by my decision.”
Before he could surrender, Balos was readmitted to Port Moresby General Hospital where he received treatment for tuberculosis. Cousin Sam Lyakin, who helped Balos return to Bomana, said the family could not talk him out of his decision to return to jail.
Mr Balos was processed by warders, smiled and said good bye to the media as he walked back into the maximum prison to serve his sentence which he would have completed in 2020 had he not escaped.
Asylum seekers stand behind a fence in Oscar compound at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea, Friday, March 21, 2014. Papua New Guinea expects to start resettling refugees detained in Australia’s offshore processing centre on Manus Island as early as May. (AAP Image/Eoin Blackwell)
ONE of the two men accused of killing Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati on Manus has escaped from prison.
Joshua Kaluvia, a former Salvation Army worker at the Manus Island detention centre, was facing trial for the wilful murder of Barati in February 2014.
Kaluvia was meant to appear in court in Lorengau yesterday to continue the trial. But the court was told he had escaped from the Lorengau prison. Acting provincial police commander Senior Inspector David Yapu confirmed with The National that Kaluvia escaped from prison last week Monday.
Yapu was disappointed that his escape was not reported to police immediately.
“Correctional Service (prisons) should immediately report to police so that we can mount out the search,” he said.
“I am very frustrated.
“He is from Kimbe, West New Britain.
“By now, we do not know whether he is still in Manus or he has already left.”
Kaluvia is from Muliagani village in West New Britain.
ABC News reported that a spokesman for PNG Correctional Services confirmed that Kaluvia was the suspect in the murder of an asylum seeker in 2014.
The escape occurred on March 28, between 11am and 12pm, the spokesman said. Trial judge Nicholas Kirriwom issued a warrant for Kaluvia to be recaptured and to reappear in court by April 18.
Kaluvia had pleaded not guilty and had complained about the standard of his defence during the trial last year.
Another man, former G4S guard Louie Efi, is accused of dropping a large rock on Barati’s head as he lay on the ground.
The National,Tuesday April 5th, 2016
TRANSPORT Secretary Roy Mumu says a meeting in Port Moresby this week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Transportation Working Group will provide an overview of areas it can invest in.
The areas include aviation, maritime and land transport.
He said the meeting would provide the venue for discussion on infrastructure developments and financing options.
He told the working group meeting which began in Port Moresby yesterday that the country was glad to host the event as a lead-up to the 2018 Apec (leaders) summit.
He said as a diverse and geographically challenging country, Papua New Guinea recognised the importance of transportation as an enabler of trade and economic prosperity.
“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea to welcome all delegations. We look forward to the outcome of the meeting and the experiences that will be shared by various economies,” Mumu said
He said PNG expected the group to provide the basis and understanding on the best areas PNG could invest in in its preparation to host the 2018 Apec Leader’s Summit.
“As an island nation, transportation and connectivity overview, which is the Apec perspective, is not only physical but rather a need for strengthening the institutional and people-to-people connectivity in order to realise a seamless transport.”
Former escapee Aipit Balos (with bagpack) escorted by Correctional Services senior operations officer Ruben Manamb through the prison gate at Bomana in Port Moresby.
TRANSPORT Secretary Roy Mumu says a meeting in Port Moresby this week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Transportation Working Group will provide an overview of areas it can invest in.