MP Mul charged with possessing unlicensed gun

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
MEMBER for North Waghi Open Benjamin Mul was yesterday charged with possessing an unlicensed firearm.
Security personnel arrested Mul on Wednesday around midday at Waghi Bridge for allegedly distributing cash to voters near a polling booth.
Deputy police commissioner operation, Simon Kauba told The National yesterday afternoon that Mul turned up at Mt Hagen police station where he was charged.
Kauba said Mul was charged with being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
He said other offences Mul allegedly committed would be properly investigated before appropriate charges were laid.
Detectives investigating the case had reported they also confiscated Mul’s cell phone and allegedly found pornographic images stored in it.
Kauba said Mul was later released on K2,000 police bail on the charge of  possession of illegal firearm.
Kauba said Mul would appear before the district court at a date yet to be set by police prosecution.
He said the polling in Jiwaka went smoothly on Wednesday and continued yesterday in Jimi district.
He said the people of North Waghi and South Waghi went to the polls peacefully without any big election-related trouble.
Kauba said that there was a murder case reported in Hagen Central on Wednesday.
He said that it was not known whether it was related to the election but police are investigating the matter.