Policeman committed to stand trial

By GEORGINA KOREI
A POLICEMAN, charged with allegedly using another policeman’s firearm without returning it, has been committed to stand trial in the National Court.
When committing Const Samuel Gwingin, 45, from Wosera’s Telenge village in East Sepik, on Wednesday, Magistrate Paul Puri Nii said: “Evidence is sufficient to commit you to stand trial for the charges of false pretence and abuse of office.”
Gwingin chose to remain silent when the court administered his declaration (section 96) statement.
Magistrate Nii said he had considered the arguments that Gwingin was wrongly charged with abuse of office when it should have been misappropriation of property.
“In my view, Gwingin, at the time of the allegation, was a policeman and he was granted the powers by virtues of the Police Act to conduct and assess exhibits in his line of duty so he asked Const Samson Sep, to borrow his police-licensed firearm,” Magistrate Nii said.
“However, evidence suggests that Gwingin, instead of exercising and discharging his lawful duties, did not use his powers for the purpose of being a policeman and, in my opinion with consistent to police evidence, he had abused his power.”
The case was adjourned to Monday for trial in the National Court.
Police alleged that on Nov 25, 2019, Gwingin had borrowed Sep’s firearm to conduct an investigation.
However, he allegedly failed to return it.
Police claimed Sep had made several attempts to retrieve the firearm from Gwingin, but to no avail.
He then laid a complaint and Gwingin was arrested and charged.