Officer to explain release of suspect

A MAGISTRATE has summoned an arresting officer of a murder case to appear in court and explain why he released the wife of a deceased from the cell.
Committal court magistrate Albert Daniels ordered First Constable Mark Moikia to appear in court and explain why he released Wena Baba, 34, from Chimbu’s Karamui without any proper bail documents.
“Murder is a serious charge and arresting officers should not unlawfully release accused persons without proper bail processes,” he said.
Baba was charged for the alleged murder of her husband on March 3.
Police prosecutor Sgt Christian Iga told the court that Baba was appearing in court from bail but there was no bail receipts on the record to justify that she was released.
“She was charged with murder but we have no record of a National Court bail to prove that she was out on bail,” he said.
Baba then told the court that she was released freely from the cells at Boroko by the arresting officer Moikia without paying any bail.
Magistrate Daniels ordered that Baba be brought back to custody and Moikia to appear in court today and explain his reasons as to why he allowed Baba out free.
It was alleged that on March 4, Baba told her husband Jeremiah Ninkama (deceased) to chase Gideon Mefi who had stolen properties from their house at Air Transport Squadron in Port Moresby.
The husband was a chronic asthmatic patient and he wasn’t feeling well while chasing Mefi.
When he went back home, he collapsed and was rushed to Pacific International Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.