Court strikes out Somare Jr’s first charge

 THE Committal proceedings against Michael Somare Jr, the son of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had been struck out by the Wewak Committal court on Monday as there were flaws in the definition of the charge laid against him.

Presiding magistrate David Susame struck out the case and directed the prosecutions to refer the case to the arresting officer to lay appropriate charges.

Somare Jr was arrested and charged last month with attempting to commit an indictable offence under section 509 (1) of the Criminal Code Act for discharging a firearm at the East Sepik Governor’s residence at Wewak Hill on Dec 18, last year.

The magistrate said the definition of the charge was a non-offence by law and therefore could not proceed with the case.

The case was later transferred to the Summary court after Somare Jr was slapped with two other charges relating to his actions on Dec 18 at the Governor’s residence.

He was re-arrested and charged on Monday with discharging a firearm under section 28 (3) (a) and threatening behaviour under section 7 (a) of the Summary Offences Act.

He appeared briefly before Wewak district court the same day where he pleaded not guilty and his case was adjourned to March 28. He was released on a bail of K400.

It was alleged that the accused discharged a firearm targeting Governor Peter Wararu outside his residence in the presence of provincial administrator Samson Torovi and provincial works advisor James Baloiloi on Dec 18 last year.