Reservists, former chief appear in court

 Four reservists attached to the Port Moresby police station and a former chief sergeant appeared in the Waigani Committal Court yesterday charged with stealing.

Benny Afri from Bialla, West New Britain, Hanua Mathew from Kerema, Gulf, Eliakim Ekope from Finschhafen, Morobe, Jack Tom from Nawaeb, Morobe, and Leslie Sawo from Hula, Central, appeared before Magistrate Cosmas Bidar.

Police allege the defendants stole three 25kg bags of betel nuts and one bag of mustard valued at about K1100 from James Pakuma at the 5-Mile roundabout on Feb 13 last year.

Bidar told the accused that the alleged offence amounted to stealing as stipulated under Section 372 of the Criminal Code Act. 

He, however, said the supposed offence was just an allegation which required police to investigate and acquire evidence for the case to progress.

When adjourning the case to March 24, Bidar said police would be allowed time to compile and send investigation files to the Public Prosecutor.

Bidar told the court the usual practice in PNG was that people were arrested and charged before evidence justifying the allegations was found while, in other countries, it was the other way around.

When extending their bail of K400 each, he said the defendants were presumed innocent until proven guilty.