Inside job suspected in escape of ‘dangerous’ prisoner

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Five prison officers at Bomana are being questioned over the escape of “notorious” suspect Tommy Baker Maeva from the Port Moresby General Hospital last week.
Acting Correctional Service Commissioner Stephen Pokanis said it could be an “inside job”.
“Detectives started investigations last Friday. We believe that the escape was already being preplanned and Maeva must have faked having a problematic knee,” he said.
He said Bomana prison commandant Chief Superintendent Kiddy Keko had suspended two of the officers.
Pokanis said the five officers had taken Maeva to the hospital last Wednesday after he complained of severe knee pain and wanted to see a doctor.
“That was where he dashed for freedom. He never had any knee problems when he was (earlier) arrested,” he said.
“Maeva is very elusive and dangerous while at large and we want the public to report on his whereabouts. He is similar to the late William Nanua Kapris.”
He said Maeva had escaped from Giligili prison in Milne Bay and his gang had allegedly been involved in criminal activities in Milne Bay and coastal villages along the border of Northern and Central.
Meanwhile, acting provincial police commander Inspector George Bayagau said police had been on alert since Maeva’s escape.
Bayagau said Maeva had been leading a gang of escapees who had been terrorising Milne Bay since 2014. Central police commander Chief Superintendent Sibron Papoto said Maeva and eight gang members were arrested at Taurama Beach in Port Moresby in August.
“They were escaping from police in Milne Bay after robbing a rural Bank South Pacific branch at Hagita on June 19 this year. Police, on a tipoff, hid at Tuna Bay and arrested them when they were landing on the beach. They have been charged with armed robbery and are now detained at the Bomana Prison.”