Enga man who allegedly stole vehicle in Waigani court

 A MAN from Enga alleged to have stolen a vehicle worth about K80,000 over the weekend appeared at the Waigani Committal Court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar read charges of armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle to Kelly Lauku, of Sopas village in Wabag. In relation to the first charge, police alleged that the accused and five other men armed with a bush knife and stones used violence against Herman Rai before stealing his Isuzu D-MAX truck on March 5.

The second charge related to the defendant allegedly using the truckafter he had stolen it without the approval of the owner.

Bidar told Lauku the normal practice in the country was that police would arrest and charge a person before looking for evidence to substantiate their allegations.

He said the standard practice in court was to allow a period of three months for police to complete investigation files through witness interviews and have them served on the defendant.

Bidar told the accused that he was entitled to bail and a lawyer but pointed out that Lauku would have to make an application to the National Court through a lawyer should he want bail. He said due to the charge of armed robbery, the district court did not have the power to grant him bail.