Cop accused of killing betel nut vendor granted bail

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A RESERVE police constable accused of killing a betel nut vendor at North Waigani in Port Moresby last month has been granted bail by the National Court.
Waigani National Court Judge Justice Teresa Berrigan yesterday granted a K2,000 bail to Const Alan Lawes Rabura with the condition that he refrains from participating in any reserve police activity pending the outcome of his case.
The defence lawyer submitted that Rabura had a constitutional right to apply for bail and at any time.
He submitted that this was bail before conviction, Rabura being a first-time offender, a young man, had a young family, was a respected person in his community, had reputable guarantors and had cooperated with police.
He submitted that the allegations by police was serious and had to be considered properly, and that Rabura was entitled to the full protection of the law.
Prosecutor Solomon Kuku, from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, objected to bail, saying that Rabura had not given any reason to show that his continuous detention was unjustified.
“Murder is a serious offence and the onus is on the applicant (Rabura) to convince the court that he has a good reason to be out on bail,” Kuku said.
Justice Berrigan said none of the reasons on its own would be sufficient to demonstrate that detention was unjustified.
She also said that the affidavit on what had happened during that day, which was to be contested, was also insufficient to prove that continuous detention is unjustified.
However, she said that in considering the circumstances, bail would be granted with strict conditions.
“But in culmination, I’m satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated that his continued detention is unjustified, but (this is a) very serious allegation. In circumstances, I’m prepared to grant bail under strict conditions,” Justice Berrigan said.
Justice Berrigan also ordered the two guarantors to pay a surety of K1,000.
Rabura was also ordered to report to the Waigani National Court registry every Monday between 9am and 3pm as a condition of his bail.
The alleged offence took place on May 19.