Lae student committed to trial over arson

By JIMMY KALEBE
A SECONDARY school student in Morobe charged with arson has been committed by the Lae Committal Court to stand trial next month.
Brian Madiang, 18, from Kobao village, Pindu in Finschhafen, Morobe, is scheduled to appear for mention in the National Court on Jan 5.
Senior Magistrate Pious Tapil yesterday granted Madiang a K2,000 bail and ordered that his two guarantors pay a surety fee of K250 each.
“Your bail will be extended (if paid) or if not, your warrant of remand at Buimo Prison will be extended,” Tapil told Madiang.
The court based its findings from three witness statements submitted to court that pointed to him as the main suspect.
Police alleged that Madiang on Aug 20 between 9pm and 9.30pm was with his fellow students at Dregerhaffen complaining about the cooks not serving their evening meals because they were late.
Madiang and the other male students were alleged to have been under the influence of alcohol and had arrived late for dinner.
After a commotion, Madiang was seen by witnesses jumping out of the grade 9A and 9B classroom, shouting “fire, fire”.
The building, which housed two classrooms, was the school’s old science laboratory turned into classroom and was on fire.
He was charged with one count of arson.