Court commits officers to trial

THREE probationary policemen are to stand trial in the National Court for allegedly raiding and robbing a liquor shop of more than K1 million worth of goods last April.
Waigani Committal Court magistrate Cosmas Bidar said there was enough evidence to commit Tony Kama, Nelson Namesa Sapul and Stanley Tembon to face trial in the Waigani National Court.
Kama, 42, from Eastern Highlands’ Kainantu; Sapul, 24, from Southern Highland’s Mendi; and, Tembon, from Jiwaka’s Anglimp-South Waghi, were each charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of damaging property.
The three policemen were among more than 20 others who raided the RMW Holdings Ltd’s White House Trading at 5–Mile and removed goods and items worth more than K1 million.
“There is no evidence of a search warrant or any court order warranting them to search and seize properties,” Bidar said.
“There is no evidence of anyone being arrested and charged with an offence.
“The evidence from the police file shows that White House staff were conducting a stock take when the policemen stormed in.
“The command on that day was to check and see whether liquor was sold there and if there was, then remove the liquor and conduct arrests.
“However, the policemen did not do that.
“They allegedly raided the shop, stole beer and other goods, destroyed the buildings and left.
“There was also evidence from the closed-circuit television (CCTV) video clips which showed the policemen raiding the shops and the defendants did not deny that they were present at the scene.”
The alleged offences occurred during Easter when someone reported to police about the noise coming from the policemen who were allegedly breaking into the shop.
They allegedly stole almost everything and assaulted seven RMW staff.
The stolen items include cash, beer, spirits, wine, cigarettes, soft drinks, flex and topkads, plastic bags, cell phones, laptops and other store goods valued at K1,039,589.20.
RMW general manager Anton Make reported that about 20 policemen arrived in 13 police vehicles and loaded the loot.
The seven staff were also forced into the vehicles, assaulted with gun barrels, punched and kicked, and locked up in Saraga Police Station.
The staff were charged with selling liquor during prohibited hours.
Bidar adjourned hearing to Sept 24 for the policemen to file their statements.