Armed police CID constable, reservist, civilian remanded for allegedly extorting Kikori district administrator
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IAD investigators checking the police-issued firearms and money that were seized from the trio at Laguna Hotel on Jan 6, 2020. Above: (From left) PC Kifoi, Wanap and Dermot giving their statements to IAD investigators. - Pix courtesy of The National.
Armed police CID constable, reservist, civilian remanded for allegedly extorting Kikori district administrator
PORT MORESBY: Three men - a police constable, reservist and civilian - armed with police-issued firearms were remanded by a Waigani committal court for allegedly extorting Kikori administrator Tars Sauka.
This case enhances the integrity and image of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) police force in that rogue policemen are not tolerated and there is no hesitation in bringing to book those suspected of running foul with the law.
The case is being investigated by the police Internal Affairs Directorate (IAD).
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces the deatils of the case as published by The National:
Alleged extortion
By KARO JESSEA POLICE constable, reservist and civilian were remanded by the Waigani committal court yesterday for various offences allegedly linked to extorting Kikori district administrator Tars Sauka.
Magistrate Tracey Ganai ruled that Police Constable (PC) Jeffery Kifoi, 31, police reservist Henry Lawrence Wanapi, 32, and Vakinap Dermot, 32, were wrongly released on police bail of K1,000 each.
Boroko Criminal Investigation Department (CID) PC Kifoi, from Eastern Highlands’ Daulo, is scheduled to be charged with four counts of abuse of office and extortion while Wanapi, from Hiri’s Central’s Kuriva, is to be charged with two counts of the same charge.
Dermot, from Ambunti, East Sepik’s Avatip, is to be charged with impersonating a policeman.
Ganai denied bail and remanded the trio.
Prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam told the court that the men were wrongly granted police bail as they were arrested on a court’s warrant.
Magistrate Tracey Ganai ruled that Police Constable (PC) Jeffery Kifoi, 31, police reservist Henry Lawrence Wanapi, 32, and Vakinap Dermot, 32, were wrongly released on police bail of K1,000 each.
Boroko Criminal Investigation Department (CID) PC Kifoi, from Eastern Highlands’ Daulo, is scheduled to be charged with four counts of abuse of office and extortion while Wanapi, from Hiri’s Central’s Kuriva, is to be charged with two counts of the same charge.
Dermot, from Ambunti, East Sepik’s Avatip, is to be charged with impersonating a policeman.
Ganai denied bail and remanded the trio.
Prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam told the court that the men were wrongly granted police bail as they were arrested on a court’s warrant.
“I would like to ask the court to remand these men because they are not entitled to be released on police bail.
“When people are arrested on
a court’s warrant, they can only seek bail from the court,” Sgt Sangam said.
“There must be a precedent set so that police cannot act the same again by releasing someone who had been arrested on a court’s warrant,” he added.
The three, who will be appearing today to face charges and appeal for bail, were alleged to have on Dec 26 met Sauka at Laguna Hotel and arrested him.
It is alleged that PC Kifoi forced Sauka into a vehicle and threatened him with arrest if he (Sauka) did not lend him K900.
He told Sauka that he had the “evidence” against him (on a case).
Since it was the festive season, Sauka allegedly gave the money to PC Kifo the same evening.
On Jan 1, Kifoi allegedly obtained another K3,000 from Sauka in Laguna Hotel.
On Jan 6, Kifoi allegedly called Sauka and demanded him to pay K50,000 or K60,000.
Sauka allegedly told Kifoi that he would give him whatever money he had and would pay the K60,000 later but Kifoi insisted that he be paid the money.
Kifoi and his two accomplices were arrested at Laguna Hotel by the police Internal Affairs Directorate investigators while extorting money from Sauka.
They were arrested in possession of firearms and K19,600.
“When people are arrested on
a court’s warrant, they can only seek bail from the court,” Sgt Sangam said.
“There must be a precedent set so that police cannot act the same again by releasing someone who had been arrested on a court’s warrant,” he added.
The three, who will be appearing today to face charges and appeal for bail, were alleged to have on Dec 26 met Sauka at Laguna Hotel and arrested him.
It is alleged that PC Kifoi forced Sauka into a vehicle and threatened him with arrest if he (Sauka) did not lend him K900.
He told Sauka that he had the “evidence” against him (on a case).
Since it was the festive season, Sauka allegedly gave the money to PC Kifo the same evening.
On Jan 1, Kifoi allegedly obtained another K3,000 from Sauka in Laguna Hotel.
On Jan 6, Kifoi allegedly called Sauka and demanded him to pay K50,000 or K60,000.
Sauka allegedly told Kifoi that he would give him whatever money he had and would pay the K60,000 later but Kifoi insisted that he be paid the money.
Kifoi and his two accomplices were arrested at Laguna Hotel by the police Internal Affairs Directorate investigators while extorting money from Sauka.
They were arrested in possession of firearms and K19,600.
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