Ex-cop’s submission refused

THE National Court has refused a no-case submission of a policeman who was charged with allegedly killing two men in Port Moresby two years ago.
Justice Teresa Berrigan presiding at Waigani yesterday, said she had considered the no-case application of Komeng Gubag, 34, from Sumkar’s Wakon village but there was evidence he was present at the scene when the men were killed.
She said therefore, Gubag had a case to answer.
Gubag through his lawyer David Dotaona made the no-case application saying there was not enough evidence before the court to pursue the case further.
The application was made after the State called seven witnesses during a two-day trial which was on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Judge Berrigan then proceeded with trial allowing Gubag to give his account on what happened on the day in question as unsworn evidence from the defendant’s dock.
It was alleged that there was a commotion at Garden Hills about 6pm on Oct 23, 2021, and Gubag was at the scene in which two men were wounded and died.
Gubag in his unsworn evidence said he was there at the scene in a car and when the commotion escalated, he took out a baseball bat.
“I was trying to protect my family,” he said.
Gubag said the next day, he went to the police station because two men had died from the previous day’s commotion, a house was also burnt and he was being blamed.
Judge Berrigan said she would cross reference his story with State witness statements for a verdict.
The matter was adjourned to March 10, for Dotaona and State lawyers to make submissions on verdict in which lawyers representing the parties argue on whether Gubag should be found guilty by court or not based on the evidence.
Gubag however, remains in remand at the Bomana prison.