Cops’ lawyer fails to turn up in court

 By CHARLES MOI

A LAWYER representing 74 victims of alleged police brutality in Port Moresby briefed the judge yesterday on the progress of legal aid to the victims.

However, the judge adjoured the case to today as the lawyer representing police heads failed to show.

Justice David Cannings presided over the hearing at the Waigani National Court.

The lawyer from the Office of the Public Solicitor representing the victims told the court that they  had received medical treatment, including HIV tests, but the final medical reports and HIV test results were not incomplete. 

He said the actual injuries sustained by each victim were still to be confirmed. 

“We also assisted in opening an account for financial aid as most of the victims are unemployed,” the lawyer said. 

Cannings said he was satisfied with the update.  

NCD metropolitan commander Supt Andy Bawa and station commander for the Gordon police station Snr Insp John Tarur were in court but their lawyer did not turn up.

As a result, Cannings did not hear an update on the steps police had taken to investigate the alleged wounding of the 74 victims.  

Cannings adjourned the matter to today.