Nine men charged with wilful murder

NINE men accused of beheading an elderly man after suspecting him of practising sorcery appeared before the Lae Committal Court last week.
Alex Kombi, 45, from Finschhafen, Tano Marum, 19, from Finschhafen, Steven Goroko, 19, from Nawaeb, Raymond Wali, 22, from Finschhafen, Gideon Jauks, 18, from Nawaeb, Elison Kata, 18, from Nawaeb, Joby Theo, 19, from Nawaeb, Lunge Ringo, 18, from Finschhafen and Simon Gaya, 25, from Finschhafen were all charged with the wilful murder of Masaugai Kwanewe, from Momsalop village in Nabak, Nawaeb district, last month.
The accused appeared before senior magistrate Pious Tapil, who explained the charges to them and the
committal process of the court.
He told the accused that the court would allow three months for police to complete their case.
He said since offensive weapons were allegedly used the District Court could not allow them bail.
However, they could apply for bail at the National Court through a lawyer.
Magistrate Tapil adjourned the case to Oct 12.
The court heard that on June 19 at the Wahu/Ahi Block in Situm, Labuta LLG, Nawaeb, the accused went to Kwanewe’s house between 4am and 5am.
They were allegedly armed with bush knives, guns and sling shot.
Police alleged that they attacked Kwanewe, chopped off his head, stuck it on a piece of stick and placed it beside a road close to a public market along Situm River.
The matter was reported to police the same day.
The accused men surrendered to police in the afternoon.