Two accused of killing public servant in Alotau appear in court

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
TWO alleged members of Tommy Baker Maeva’s gang have appeared before the Alotau District Court for the alleged killing of a public servant in January.
Senior provincial Magistrate Patricia Tivese ordered that Joe Giyomatala, 22, from Vakuta village, and Amos Siatua, 21, from Kwamtula in the Kiriwina district of Milne Bay be further remanded in custody until May 20.
They face charges of murder in regards to the fatal shooting of Michael Ego on Jan 23 in Alotau. Ego was the provincial legal officer for Milne Bay.
Earlier, provincial police commander Chief Inspector Michael Tilae said Ego died during an exchange of fire between the police and gang members.
It followed the burning down of the home of Maeva’s deputy Michael Mekere Yawi in Alotau. Police said the gang members also burnt down homes at the police barracks, killing a mother and her child.
Tilae said Maeva was in hiding and believed to be seriously injured.
Tilae also they had completed all the investigations into all the gang’s alleged criminal activities in Alotau since 2013. All the court files are ready.
“Only the investigations into the Dec 20, 2018 robbery on Misima is yet to be completed. The investigation team is expected to travel there any time. The Samarai-Murua District Development Authority is helping fund the investigation into the robbery which saw the gang looting and ransacking all the four shops on Bwagaoia station.”