Robbery suspect freed over insufficient evidence

A 38-YEAR-OLD man who was charged with robbing Big Rooster in Vision City two years ago was acquitted by the Waigani Committal Court yesterday because of insufficient evidence.
Magistrate Tracy Ganaii dismissed Moses Maina of the armed robbery charge, but remanded him for his escape from police custody charge which was set for ruling on May 6.
Prosecutor Chief Sgt Polon Koniu had earlier said he would not be making any submissions in response to Maina’s submissions on the armed robbery charge.
Magistrate Ganaii said there was no circumstantial nor direct evidence to show that Maina, from Tambul-Nebilyer’s Togoba village, Western Highlands, was involved in the arm robbery.
“No facts provided any identification,” she said.
“There was no witness providing identification although they provided a description.
“Their description was not on the face but just built and appearance.
“Other witnesses are policemen.
“I have looked at their statements but the statements do not connect with the identification at the crime scene and Maina’s arrest.
“They only say that they followed a vehicle which they suspected was stolen vehicle and they arrested him.
“There is nothing explaining why they were arresting him (Maina).”
Magistrate Ganaii said police relied on a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage, but there was no connection involving Maina.
“What the police are saying is the person in the closed CCTV is Maina, but where did that come from?” she asked.
“There is no connection. So in my view, there is insufficient evidence to identify Maina at the robbery.”