Apec officers in court

A Police prosecutor has recommended to the court to commit 12 members of the Apec Joint Security Task Force to trial for being in possession of stolen properties in Port Moresby.
Sgt John Wamugl told magistrate Cosmas Bidar in the Waigani Committal Court that there was enough evidence to send the 12 to National Court.
He was responding to the submission by defence lawyer Robbie Yansion to have the case dismissed.
The 12 who are all police officers includes Sgt Richard Gei, 55, Constable Kita Ute, 37, Lloyd Laka, 25, Raka Kala, 35, Ine Iga, 43, Warimo Vavine, 42, Manu Kila, 44, Collin Sina, 36, Henao Pokana, 55, and Geno Alatina, 36, all from Rigo in Central, plus Keith Bobby, 43, from Tatana in Port Moresby and Constable Morgan Rancha, 30, from Mendi, Southern Highlands.
Wamugl said there was evidence that the properties were stolen or unlawfully removed from the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex and found in the possession of the 12 at Kila Barracks.
The properties had earlier been removed during a raid on Parliament last Nov 20 by members of the security forces.
Yansion had submitted that the 12 did not intend to take the properties which included water dispensers, dispenser water bottles, food baskets, disposal paper cups and trash bins.
He also added that the proper court to determine the matter was the Boroko District Court because it was a summary offence and it should not proceed at the committal court.
Bidar adjourned the matter to May 22 for a ruling.