Strict orders for accused

By JIMMY KALEBE
COURT bail of K2,000 was imposed on a man charged with rape by the Lae Committal Court with his two guarantors to pay surety fees of K200 each on Friday.
Magistrate Pious Tapil when imposing bail, took into account the seriousness of the offence and the distance at which the accused resided from the victim.
Tapil told Genagai Gull, 20, from Paume village in Gumine, Chimbu, that his presence back in the community while on bail might affect the victim.
He told Gull’s guarantors in court that one of them had to ensure Gull was kept away from his family residence until the court process was completed.
Gull was warned to strictly follow all bail conditions.
Police alleged that Gull, on Nov 12, at his parents’ residence at Geo Place, Lae, between 8am and 9am, raped a six-year-old girl.
Magistrate Tapil adjourned the case to Jan 24, for mention.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a woman was discharged from a wilful murder charge after the court found that she had been in custody for more than three months and the police report had not been completed.
“The arresting officer for this case has not updated this court on the progress of the police file,” he said. She (defendant) told the court that she had been in custody too long and the court confirms that.”
Magistrate Tapil told Elis Ninkama, 39, from Kwaledine village in Gumine, Chimbu, that the court took into account the time spent in custody and would strike out the information and have her discharged from custody at Buimo prison.
The defendant was also reminded by the court that once police completed the files, she would be re-arrested and face court.
Police alleged that Ninkama, on June 26, between 5.30pm and 6pm, at Kerowagi Market, East Taraka in Lae, attacked the deceased person with a kitchen knife.
The court heard that the accused and the victim were married to the same man.
After stabbing the deceased several times, the victim was rushed to Angau Memorial Hospital and died there.
Police said the accused when asked, admitted to committing the offence and said she did what she had done because she helped her husband to attain a teaching certificate and while out teaching, the husband had had affairs with the deceased.
Police said Ninkama might have committed the offence as a result of being frustrated and angered after years of neglect by her husband and having to raise their children.