Supreme Court to sit for the first time in Popondetta

THE Supreme Court will sit in Popondetta, Northern next month for the first time since independence, according to Justice David Cannings.
He said this at Waigani yesterday when mentioning matters to be heard in Popondetta during the Supreme Court week next month.
Among matters to be heard in Popondetta include that six men who were jailed for 40 years by the National Court in April for killing a father and his son after suspecting them of practicing sorcery.
Branden Esiko, Clayton Orotu, Cameron Jovu, Mike Jofo, Smith Ariko and Jesse Akuma, all from Ambene village in Kokoda, were jailed for the murder of Bartholomew Umbu and his son Siko.
The six killers had accused Umbo and Siko of practicing sorcery.
Their review matter, among others, will be heard during the Supreme Court week next month.
Justice Cannings then directed that by Aug 29, the Supreme Court registrar in consultation with the Correctional Services should indicate whether the applicants were in custody and in which CS prison or if they were at large or had been discharged from custody.
The matters will return on Aug 30 for mention.
The court also ordered the Office of the Public Solicitor to indicate whether it would be able to assist the applicants Supreme Court sat in Popondetta from Sept 5-6.