Court defers piracy, murder case

Six men charged with piracy and murder appeared for mention at the Waigani Committal Court on Monday.
Boge Madaha, Leka Rabia, Peter Kavea, Bobby Rarua, Tatana Veidiho and Nolan Lawrance all from Central, were alleged to have attacked a family on a boat in Port Moresby’s Fairfax Harbour, to steal their outboard motor on Aug 15.
The attack resulted in the death of a man.
Magistrate John Kaumi told the six men who appeared from custody at Bomana prison, that he would deal with their case next year.
It was alleged that the six men attacked Heni Heni and Nanai Heni who were out fishing with three children under the age of 10.
The men allegedly assaulted Heni using objects, fired shots at the victims on the boat and made off with their outboard motor.
Police allege that after the attack Heni fell into the sea and Nanai swam ashore to report the matter.
The children were rescued and the body of Heni was found floating the next day (Aug 16).
Magistrate Kaumi ordered that the matter return to court next February.
Meanwhile, the Waigani National Court has refused a bail application filed by one of the men charged with piracy and murder.
Justice Panuel Mogish told Boge Madaha that his grounds for bail were ‘not exceptional’ and that he surrendered to police after three days.
The court ordered Madaha to remain in custody.