Woman accused of cyber offences fails to show up

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A WOMAN is allegedly on the run after being charged with posting defamatory remarks on social media.
She also has a warrant of arrest against her after she failed to appear in court twice over the last week to face 15 counts relating to the alleged cyber offence.
Freda Kerua, 26, from Okolbeng village, Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, was charged with five counts of defamatory publications pursuant to section 21 (2), five (5) counts of cyberbullying pursuant to section 22 (1) (a) (i) and five counts of cyber harassment under section (23) (1) a (i) of the cybercrime code act 2016.
The accused is alleged to have posted defamatory remarks against sisters – Elizabeth Namba, a medical laboratory scientist at Port Moresby General Hospital, and Dorothy Namba, a doctor at the Lae Angau General Hospital.
The allegations began on April 15 at around 8.45am when Dorothy Namba posted on her wall and Kerua went on Facebook, searched her name and made a comment on her post on May 11. She allegedly commented on the sisters: “You and your sister after money ended up with sugar daddies.”
The accused allegedly made more derogatory on Facebook like: “Both of you are pamuk (prostitute), did both of you get bride price and give it to your people.”
On May 25 , the accused allegedly made another post on Facebook: “Sorry lapun mama, you are no way near to my sister and me”.
Elizabeth Namba claimed that such posts were malicious in nature and were made with the intention to defame their reputation and profession for no good reason.
Kerua was taken in for questioning at the Boroko Police Station and admitted to the allegations made against her.
She was cautioned not to engage in such activities again and was scheduled to appear in court but failed to make appearances twice (July 26 and 31).
Police prosecutor Joseph Sangam called for a warrant of arrest of Kerua at the Waigani Committal Court which was granted by magistrate Cosmas Bidar