Judge orders increase in bail on abuse

A JUDGE has ordered that bail for a man charged with causing grievous bodily harm and the sexual penetration be increased because it was too low.
Justice Panuel Mogish in the Waigani National Court yesterday ordered that the bail for Robert Agen, 47 from Aregol village, Sinasina-Yongomugl district, Chimbu be increased to K2,200 from the K500 granted by the district court.
Justice Mogish ordered that Agen pay an additional bail sum of K1,700.
Agen was ordered to pay K600 for two counts of grievous bodily harm (K300 each), and K1,000 for one count of sexual penetration.
Mogish said Agen should pay a total bail sum of K2,200.
The orders were made following submissions made by lawyer Mercy Tamate, from the Office of the Public Prosecutor, who told the Court that a district court did not have the authority to allow bail for such serious criminal offences.
Agen, who is the boyfriend of the complainant, Hennah Alwina Joku, was alleged to have picked her up at the Digicel headquarters in Gordon, Port Moresby after having a brief argument over the phone on April 30, last year.
Police alleged that Agen drove to Owen’s Corner in Sogeri after he picked Joku at the office.
Agen then allegedly struck Joku with his belt several times while accusing her of cheating.
Agen then allegedly took Joku to the edge of a mountain and raped her.
Agen was also alleged to have assaulted Joku on Sept 15, last year after they returned from a fund-raising event.
Agen, who was allegedly drunk at that time, assaulted Joku at a friend’s home in North Waigani.
Justice Mogish also imposed conditions that Agen and his relatives, and associates must not interfere with state witnesses, especially the complainant in the matter.
The matter returns to court on Monday for further hearing.