Court orders man charged with armed robbery to find lawyer

By VANESSA NIKEN
THE National Court has adjourned a case of a 27-year-old man charged with armed robbery and unlawful use of motor vehicle to give him time to find a lawyer.
Before Acting Judge Tracy Ganaii, George Apopo, from Muro village, Gulf, told court that he had not talked to a lawyer and would look for one to represent him.
“You come back on Aug 9 for further mention,” Acting Judge Ganaii told Apopo.
According to the State, on Jan 19, 2020, at about 6.30pm, a Mike Ugaia reported that he was held up at gunpoint by four to five criminals and his motor vehicle was stolen at the crossing near Big Rooster, Koki, Port Moresby.
It was alleged that Apopo was seen with Gramson Kebo, Walter Abel Aka and two other known accomplices who robbed Ugaia.
Ugaia and his family were driving home from Ela Beach when Apopo and his accomplices appeared at the crossing and held them up at gunpoint.
Ugaia identified Apopo as he had taught the accused at Sevese Morea Primary School in Gabutu.
Apopo and his accomplices allegedly got into Ugaia’s car and drove off to the Badili roundabout, turned right and headed towards Sabama. Apopo and his accomplices crashed into another vehicle, ran off the road and hit a residential fence at the Joyce Bay turn off in front of Bibbin Trading .
They allegedly tried to escape but were chased and arrested by bystanders who handed them over to the Badili police.
Apopo was later charged with armed robbery under Section 386 (1) (2) and also unlawful use of motor vehicle under Section 383 (2) of the Criminal Code Act.