Samuel, Hera face court

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By GEORGINA KOREI
POLICE have served incumbent Moresby North-West MP Lohia Boe Samuel and co-accused Fabian Hera files on the murder charge against each of them in the Waigani Committal Court.
Magistrate Paul Puri Nii ordered Samuel and Hera to return to court on Aug 24 for their submissions.
“I’m now satisfied that the files are before the court and will proceed on with defence submission,” Nii said.
Police Prosecutor Sgt Christian Iga told the court that the files were now arranged in sequence by the police investigator and served on the two men. Defence lawyers Edward Sasingian for Samuel and Fredrick Kirriwom for Hera did not object to the Aug 24 hearing date.
On March 11, between 7.15pm and 8pm, Samuel, 52, from Motu-Koitabu’s Elevala village in the National Capital District, and Hera, 26, from Koukou village in Motu-Koitabu, were having dinner at a restaurant in Waigani with Robert Jerry, 38, from Bulolo’s Lagi’s village, Morobe.
It was alleged that they were having a discussion during the meal when a disagreement arose.
Samuel allegedly drew a loaded gun and shot Jerry in the neck killing him.


Niningi to continue projects

RE-elected Imbonggu MP Pila Niningi says being an MP is a public office and a level-playing field must be allowed for everyone to exercise their democratic rights.
“If the people have made their choice and elected an MP, then we must respect that because voters have exercised their rights under the constitution and have chosen a leader that they wanted,” Niningi said.
He invited the candidates who contested the seat with him who had shown interest to develop the district to work with him.
“I will need your support to complete projects that I have started,” he said.
“This is because the projects in the district are for the benefit of all the people. I will not consider the number of votes and support. I will provide services and developments where necessary.”
Niningi said services and projects initiated in the districts must benefit everyone.
“Since I have been given five more years, I will first complete the incomplete projects before starting new ones,” he said.
Meanwhile, Niningi said the design for Imbonggu district hospital in Pogerabugl was completed and ready for construction.
“It has taken us almost five years to complete the detail design and planning because we have one engineer and the design has to be specific for that location and different from others in the country,” he said.


Police say fear of violence hovers over city, schools affected

NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) Metropolitan Superintendent Gedion Ikumu says the prolonged counting due to unnecessary delays in NCD has been adversely affecting schools.
He said classes were being disrupted while some teachers were still stuck in the counting of the three remaining seats.
“It is sad to say the students have been affected the most since the counting started for the four seats in NCD,” he said.
He said fear hovered over the city’s politics-related fights and stories, mostly rumours, were overwhelming.
“Social media has been grossly abused and it has been very sickening to hear all the false alerts quickly circulating which causes fear,” Ikumu added.
He said all the activities had been affecting schools, businesses and public servants. Meanwhile, counting for the Port Moresby North-West and North-East seats are into eliminations and declarations are expected today and tomorrow.