Inquest needs evidence

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A CORONER is concerned about the lack of evidence provided by the police into the Bougainville MP, his wife, son and three others missing at sea since July 17.
Magistrate Bruce Tasikul who is conducting the inquest on their disappearance said more than two months had passed.
“Police have not provided a full and credible investigation report for the inquest into how Nissan Constituency MP Charry Napto, his wife, son and three others went missing on July 17,” he said.
“There are no witness statements despite (the fact) that there was one survivor.
“It is two months now and I only have the preliminary investigation report which is insufficient to conduct an inquest.”
He plans to meet with the police investigation team today to determine the budget and the time needed to conduct the inquest.
“We will have to bring in witnesses from Nissan, even as far as Tanga Island in New Ireland, as the debris from the dinghy was found in Tanga,” he said.
“We will have to accommodate these witnesses in Buka during the days they will be needed to give evidence.”
He said the inquest would determine how the MP went missing and to put to rest all “conspiracy theories circulating on social media”.
The sole survivor revealed that the boat capsized in rough seas about 300m away from Nissan Island. He said the waves which hit the front of the boat had caused panic resulting in Keith Napto (Charry’s son) and his mother (Napto’s wife) jumped off the boat into the sea.
He said the boat sank quickly after taking in more water.
Charry Napto, his wife, son Keith, the boat skipper and a Digicel employee were last seen clinging on to a pallet, oil tank and bucket.
The survivor who reached the shore of Pinepel was found by a villager the next day.