Attempted murder suspect granted bail

A 40-YEAR-OLD man charged with attempted murder was granted bail in the Waigani Committal Court on Tuesday.
Thomas Haluma from Komo village in Hela was charged in court for allegedly attempting to kill Jackson Waikipu in Port Moresby two months ago.
Magistrate Danny Wakikura told Haluma to pay K1,000 bail and for his guarantors to post K500 each after Police Prosecutor Sgt Peter Samghy did not object to the bail application.
Wakikura set conditions for bail including that Haluma to seek leave of the court to leave the National Capital District, not to interfere with the state witness, not to commit any offence while on bail and appear in court when required.
Police alleged that at midnight on Feb 6 Haluma along with his tribesmen from Tari searched for Waikipu at Wildlife settlement with the intent to kill him because of a tribal fight in Hela.
Haluma and his accomplices allegedly attacked Waikipu with bush knives as he sat outside his home selling betel nut.
Waikipu sustained deep cuts on his head and back but managed to escape the attack.
He ran into his property and locked the gate and called neighbours for help.
The attackers fired several shots as Waikipu’s neighbours before fleeing in a vehicle.
Waikipu was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital where he underwent emergency treatment and spent six weeks recovering from his wounds.
He identified Haluma on May 10 and was arrested by police and detained.