Absence forces court to adjourn assault case

By VANESSA NIKEN
A MAGISTRATE has adjourned the case of a 26-year-old man charged with causing grievous bodily harm to his girlfriend because he was absent yesterday.
According to the defendant’s lawyer, Otton Goimba of Moga village, Western Highlands, had travelled out and was returning soon.
“I will have the matter for section 96 adjourned to next week, Monday,” Waigani committal court Magistrate Paul Puri Nii said.
Magistrate Nii had found enough evidence to make a prima facie case against Goimba for causing serious injuries to Anna Nolwai by punching her on the eye.
The defence submission disputed the evidence, questioning its sufficiency and credibility. Magistrate Nii had noted that aside from denying the allegation, Goimba had refused to talk to the police.
He said there was evidence of wounds sustained by Nolwai and this was corroborated by a medical report from POM General Hospital.
Nolwai claimed she had been a victim of abuse over the course of their three-year relationship.