No bails for serious offences says magistrate

National

A MAGISTRATE says bail should not be granted to people charged with serious offences involving the use of guns.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Cosmas Bidar made the comment when revoking Benard Lilou’s K500 bail and ordered that he remanded in custody.
He said Lilou, a police officer who was granted bail by the police earlier, must apply for bail at the National Court.
The court heard that in October last year along the Laloki Highway in Central, Dilou was among a group of men and had a rifle. It was alleged that he had taken the gun from someone else.
Lilou is in court charged with armed robbery and for allegedly stealing five bags of betel nuts, two bags of mustard, a mobile phone and other properties worth K13,050 from a man.
Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Joseph Sangam asked the court to revoke the bail earlier granted by police and remand him in custody.
He said Section 4 of the Bail Act did not allow the police or the district court to grant bail in such serious offences.
Bidar revoked the bail but advised Dilou to apply for bail at the National Court.
The matter returns to court on November 4 for mention.