Court adjourns murder case

By MALIKAI BALANDU
EMMANUEL Bandi, charged with the murder of Lorna Quimon early this year, had his case adjourned for final mention by a Lae Committal Court on Friday.
Senior Magistrate Pious Tapil adjourned the case and ordered the arresting officer to complete the file before the next mention.
Bandi, 32, from Wewak’s Passam village in East Sepik, appeared for his final mention on Friday but the court moved the matter on the grounds that the arresting officer was present and explained the progress of the file.
Bandi’s defence lawyer argued that he was in custody for four months and the court should not allow any more adjournment.
However, the court noted that there had been a change of the arresting officer who was moved to another police department and homicide’s Senior Constable Cyrus Natil took over the case.
Magistrate Tapil also noted that Bandi was arrested on April 22 and first appeared in court on April 27, not exactly four months yet of him in custody.
“I will use my discretion to move the matter for final adjournment, wilful murder is a serious charge, justice must be served for you if you are innocent and for the family of the deceased, as long as the arresting officer is here to explain the progress of the file,” he said.
He adjourned the case to Aug 29.
Police alleged that on March 23, Bandi planned with his co-accused Titus Michael Beri to meet at Top Town, Lae.
Both men were alleged to be involved in the murder of Quimon, Beri’s wife. Beri allegedly called his wife Quimon to meet at Top Town to give money for their children.
When the deceased met him they went on to meet Bandi. Quimon went missing the same day.
On March 25, her body was found in a sugar cane field in Ramu.
She was not identified and buried at Ramu. Two weeks later, her photographs were sent to Lae police where she was identified.