Court places official on good behaviour bond

By BOURA GORUKILA
NATIONAL Court Judge Panuel Mogish on Tuesday placed a serving member of the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) on a three-year good behaviour bond.
Justice Mogish recommended that he be dealt with under the appropriate provision of the Defence Act for assaulting a woman at Sabama, Port Moresby, on Oct 17, 2015.
Justice Mogish made the ruling on Nelson Pap and ordered that he refrain from drinking alcohol.
“The offence committed by the offender is serious,” he said.
“He is a current serving member of the PNGDF.
“For him to act in that manner is unbecoming of a soldier and more particularly as a close protection officer to the commander of the PNGDF.”
Justice Mogish noted that offences perpetrated by members of the disciplinary forces were prevalent.
Pap was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm after assaulting complainant, Seve Justin, over four years ago.
“Allegations of police brutality committed by members of the disciplinary force have become prevalent in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Justice Mogish said.
“Authorities are challenged to deal with rogue officers and they should be swiftly dealt with to restore confidence and integrity in the force,” he said.