Lawyer accused of assault

A 44-YEAR-OLD lawyer was arraigned at the Waigani Committal Court yesterday on seven counts of assault and causing grievous bodily harm against his partner.
The offences were committed in Port Moresby over a two-year period.
Magistrate Danny Wakikura when reading the charges to Frank Daniel Yapao of Pausa village, Wapenamanda, Enga, said this was a case of ongoing gender-based violence.
He said the matter was now before the committal court and it would assess the evidence and decide whether it was sufficient to go to trial.
“Will give some time to the police to investigate and file the evidence in the hand-up brief,” he said.
Police alleged that on April 10, at 9-Mile, Yapao had a disagreement with the complainant (Sessalina Andagli) and allegedly hit her head with a beer bottle and punched her in the mouth. Andagli suffered broken teeth from the assault.
Other assaults by Yapao on Andagli were also reported.
It was also alleged that on July 14, 2021, Yapao allegedly went looking for Andagli at the Royal Papua Yacht club and broke the windscreen of a car.
On two separate occasions last year, Yapao allegedly accused Andagli of having affairs with two different men and assaulted her.
Police further alleged that on April 28, 2019, Andagli allegedly approached Yapao asking him to reimburse a K500 he borrowed from a neighbour and in the ensuing exchange he assaulted her at Korobosea.
Yapao admitted to the offences when arrested.
He was formally charged after his confessional statement was taken.
The matter will return for mention on July 5.