Officer, 2 women scolded in court

By ZACHERY PER
A MAGISTRATE has scolded a policeman and two wives of a teacher charged with raping his daughter for asking the court to have the matter withdrawn.
Goroka District Court Magistrate Josephine Nindue was angered by the statements submitted in court by the teacher’s wives and Constable Knighton Philipus asking the court to release the teacher.
The names of the teacher and his two wives have been withheld to protect the identity of the girl.
Nindue said the offence committed by the 39-year old father of Kobau village in Pindu, Finschaffen, Morobe, was “very serious in nature, especially where a father, a professional teacher, sexually penetrated his daughter involving incest and carnal knowledge”.
The incident allegedly happened on Jan 15 at the school where the man lived with his two wives and five children. The girl is his eldest daughter from the first wife. He was arrested on Feb 4.
Magistrate Nindue said: “This particular sexual offence is more serious than any other offences. The victim is left traumatised in the presence of neighbours. You connived with her (daughter) to collude with you and the arresting officer to withdraw the case. It is unacceptable and impossible given the seriousness of the offence.”
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Joe Pipi objected to bail.
The head teacher of the school had raised the matter with the police in Goroka in a letter dated Jan 24, 2020.
Magistrate Nindue adjourned the matter to March 4.