Judge summons top cop, lawyer to appear in court

 By CHARLES MOI

A SENIOR police officer and a lawyer have been summoned to appear in the National Court in Waigani today or face contempt of court charges.

National Capital District metropolitan commander Andy Bawa was supposed to appear yesterday with his lawyer Nicholas Miviri before Justice David Cannings but failed to do so.

Bawa was required by the court to update it on steps being taken by the police on the enforcement of basic rights in relation to the alleged brutal treatment of 74 men in NCD on May 26.

Police officers allegedly attacked the 74 men walking along the road to their homes outside the city on that Sunday evening and severed their Achillies tendons. 

State lawyer Emma Wurr, from the Public Solicitor’s office, who was representing the 74 men, told the court that she had tried to contact Miviri about the court case yesterday but received no response.

Cannings said there must be a good explanation from Bawa and Miviri for their non-appearance yesterday.

He said both men faced contempt of court charges if they failed to come to court today. The matter is adjourned to 1.30pm.