Don’t use video as grounds: Court

The National Main Stories

By BOURA GORUKILA
A MAGISTRATE has told police that “anything that goes viral on social media is not a ground to refuse (police) bail”.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Tracy Ganaii made the remark when told by a lawyer representing Lt Murray Oa, who was charged with assaulting his
wife last Thursday, that police denied him bail because the case had already gone viral on social media.
Lawyer Martin Kombri, of Kombri and Associates Lawyers, in an affidavit submitted to the court to support Oa’s bail application, said he has been in touch with the Met Supt who was the first authority to grant police bail.
But he refused bail because the issue had gone viral on social media.
“He was scared and concerned that if he had granted bail, his reputation would be destroyed,” Oa said in the affidavit.
Police commander of the National Capital District and Central, Asst Comm Anthony Wagambie Jnr, supported the position taken by police.
Magistrate Ganaii yesterday granted Oa a K1,000 bail with guarantors Capt Panusi Justin and Mek Tumul to pay surety fees of K100 each.
Police prosecutor Polon Koniu did not object to bail but asked the court to impose stringent conditions.
Oa was ordered to reside at the Goldie River Barracks, not to interfere with State witnesses, nor consume alcohol, nor commit any indictable offence while on bail.
He must report to the court registry every Monday between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
Magistrate Ganaii warned that any breach of the bail conditions could result in its revocation.
Oa was alleged to have assaulted his wife, Debbie Kaore last Thursday at about 9pm at the Goldie Barracks in Central.
A video of the alleged assault was posted on social media, sparking a public outcry, including statements from Prime Minister James Marape and Defence Force commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo.

10 comments

  • What was the cause of the abuse, is it adultery? Is there anything the wife does to deserve such abuse? If only the cause of their family problem is known then it would be better to pass judgments on who is right or wrong, whether the wife deserve such abuse as seen in most PNG societies as a norm or punishment for women who cause serious offence. Eg. Seduce or attract opposite sex without respecting yourself as a wife and mother, aldultry etc… of serious nature.

    In most PNG societies, our women are most badly treated that way when committed or accused of a serious marital offence.

    It will take us a good number of years to fully accept the Western Influence to avoid physical abuse of women (seen in most of PNG societies as cultural norm or way of punishing women when a marital offence is caused or accused off) when it comes to marital or family problems.

    Sorry true.

    • “Violence is Violence” Disregard to reasons , Mr Oa knew what he was doing, he physically violated her freedom. Violence is no longer a Norm in the society not in this day and age. We can’t turn a blind eye bcuz we believe that our society is rooted in Polygamy.

  • “Bail” is a right not to be denied unless the crime meets certain criteria.
    Thank you magistrate for granting bail for the soldier.

    As for right and wrong, the law is clear on crimes…this assault is wrong and the young soldier did take the law into his own hands…he may have lost his temper for some and whatever reason but that does in no way justifies the action he took…

    Still, life is a journey and for both this could be a learning curve.

  • Too much rubbish is promoted in this country. We must know that we are not screwed society of white people. Look at Asians. They have their cultures and they live better with it. For a white colonized country like PNG and many others will continue to face challenges because we are torn apart.

    GBV is mainly caused by foreign influence who pretend under NGOs and funded by western ideologies.

    Poor people who end up in Australia or NZ think they can live like them. They have no culture and we must not follow stupidity from them.

    Confused idiots! Mi sore lo yupla !

  • Husband needs to make one statement regarding the cause of the abuse and uploads to clarify himself as many still doubt on the cause of this abuse.

  • Regardless of whether the abuse was prompted by the wife, there are ways to overcome/solve it instead of beating up a poor wife who cannot withstand what she went through.

  • Appaulling indeed. There is no right for anybody to cause another person GBV. Women whether educated or uneducated, single or married deserve love and above all respect from their partners. Likewise, women need to know our place in our traditional society to uphold our traditional values despite the western influence when it comes to our matrimonial responsibilities.

    The DV drama on social media is a sad fact that social media has impacted on marriages and relationships across the country. It’s appaulling and we need regulations around the use of social media.

    I sympathised with both Parties and wish them well with their children.

  • Whatever the cause, we as men should allow the law to take it’s course. Beating women up like this is not good. Only if she was your sister or then u would know that it’s not good to bash up women. If it’s for adultery, then we men are the worst offenders. Its probably true for this soldier guy too. Olgeta manmeri sa pamuk koap. Nogat man or Meri em Santu. Even ol pater. Pastor. Bishop na Reverend tu

  • It’s really unfair if wife bashers do commit adultry. If men are faithful and women are adulterous then It’s at least understably reasonable to be abused. However, if both aren’t faithful to each other then what’s the point of one being jealous? Where is fairness? Men are not special over women and vice versa. We sympathise for the poor victim and hope the husband is a faithful father.

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