Cop to stand trial for calling wife ‘prostitute’

A POLICEMAN who allegedly labelled his wife a prostitute on Facebook has been committed to stand trial in the National Court for cyber harassment charges.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Paul Nii on Thursday found sufficient evidence against Patrick Wanariu, 26, from Aitape-Lumi’s Lemieng village in West Sepik.
“The evidence shows Wanariu intentionally and without lawful excuse used an electronic system (Facebook) and made several defamatory publications through messages against the victim and thus, evidence is sufficient to commit Wanariu under the Cyber Crime Code Act 2016 (CCCA),” he said.
Wanariu is alleged to have on Oct 13, 2019, at 3.39pm, posted a comment using the pidgin language on Facebook against his wife, Melissa Saya.
Wanariu allegedly used words to the effect that Melissa was a prostitute and a promiscuous disposition that had a voluptuous errand of an animal.
Lawyer David Kaiok of the Public Solicitor’s Office, who represented Wanariu, denied the allegation and that the charge did not correspond with the complaint since a complaint was lodged alleging Wanariu swore on the phone while the charge connects to publication.
Wanariu denied the allegation on his record of interview and that his wife posted the comment by herself since she had access to his Facebook account and password.
Wanariu also submitted that his name was Patrick Wanariu but the Facebook name of the person who made the post was Patrick Malusun.