Policeman charged with aiding escapee

 A POLICE constable was formally charged on Monday with aiding a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody.

Const John Mugi, 38, of Mai village, Sinasina, Chimbu, was charged under section 138 (a) of the Criminal Code Act for helping one Kara Kaupa, a detainee wanted for a string of serious crimes to escape from the Boroko police station cell block.

A police brief relating to the incident stated that on the night of Oct 8, 2010, Mugi in the company of another colleague did knowingly aid Kaupa to dash for freedom when he was detained by Boroko police.  

Kaupa, who sneaked out of the cell, was detained for his involvement in the 4-Mile Big Rooster robbery which was foiled by police who apprehended four suspects last October.

NCD metropolitan superintendent, Joseph Tondop, confirmed the arrest saying the chief of police operations in NCD supt Jim Namora had taken carriage of the matter, resulting in the arrest of the constable.

Tondop while deliberating on the matter said: “In my Christmas and New Year parade, I had warned all policemen and women in NCD that 2011 would be spent in putting the house in order and that is exactly what the hierarchy is doing.”