Cop found overstepping mark in land deals

A POLICE officer in the National Capital District has been been overstepping his authority to enforce restraining orders, arrests and charge people on land matters.
This was revealed following a case of Oct 14 in which a tenant of state land at the Erima settlement was rounded up by CID officers from Gordon police station and was locked up for two days, was released and again arrested on Oct 16.
He was charged with fraudulently altering National Housing Corporation documents and conspiring with National Housing Corporation.
He was released on a K1000 bail on October 18.
It is alleged the land titleholder laid a complaint with Boroko police regarding state land in the Erima Settlement with the officer on Oct 12, claiming he was being harassed and intimidated by a tenant while he was trying to develop the land with his family members. The restraining order was issued by the officer with a forged signature of his police boss.
NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’dranou said he did not deal with land matters but there were officers who were assigned for land matters.
“The officer who did this is known and a notice had been served to investigate this matter and this is an administrative matter for which the officer will be dealt within our administrative level,” he said.
“I have directed officers to restore and revoke the first letter.
“It was one of my officers who had issued instructions illegally to deal with this matter.
“What we will do is we will help this person that was arrested and charged, we will have his case revoked and restore his development of the land.”