Jailed cops released on bail
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Jailed cops released on bail
PORT MORESBY: Three policemen who were jailed between 18 months and
two years by the National Court for obstructing the course of justice were
released on bail by the Supreme Court.
Justice David Cannings on Friday (Dec 24, 2021) granted
the trio K2,000 bail each.
They are appealing against their sentence by the
National Court in Waigani on Nov 5, 2021.
Details of the court proceedings were published by The National:
Jailed cops
granted bail on appeal
December 28, 2021The
NationalMain Stories
By BEVERLY PETER
THE Supreme Court has granted bail to three convicted and jailed
policemen awaiting their appeal against their sentence for obstructing the
course of justice.
They were jailed between 18 months and two years last month by the Waigani
National Court and were bailed for K2,000 each on Friday.
Justice David Cannings, in granting the bail, said a combination of factors
stated in their applications brought about circumstances warranting bail.
“This doesn’t mean they are outside of custody and are free, there are bail
conditions they must follow,” he said.
Justice Cannings granted bail to Const Tony Kande, 46, of Imero village, Daulo,
Eastern Highlands, and Snr Const Henry Naio, 44, of Magom village, Nawaeb,
Morobe, who were jailed two years and First Const Wilson Muka, 41, of Kilip
village, North Waghi, Jiwaka, jailed 18 months on Nov 5 following their
conviction on Sept 13.
Justice Cannings said: “Kande, Naio and Muka had faced relatively short jail
terms and there is a risk of serving a significant portion of their sentence
before their appeal is heard and determined if their bail applications are
refused.
He, in considering an affidavit by the National Capital District Crime
Investigation Division Chief Insp Robert Volo concerning the personal security
of the Kande, Naio and Muka; said the appeal carried less weight but was
exceptional in this case. “It is often that police officers in prison are at
high risk of harm within the prison than other prisoners,” Justice Cannings
said.
“I also take into consideration that Kande, Naio and Muka were on bail for
longer period during the course of National Court and had no evidence of their
bail conditions being breached and also have taken active steps to prosecute
their appeals.
The trio were among other policemen on Oct 9, 2014, between 7pm and 8pm, who
after refusing to accept the contempt charges, went to Chief Sgt Patrick
Premenga’s house and threatened to kill him.
The court was told that the contempt charges were issued by the National Court
against Sgt Philip Pokop, Naio and 10 other policemen who were alleged to be
frustrated over the execution of a warrant of arrest on former prime minister
Peter O’Neill.
Justice Cannings, in the bail conditions, ordered that Kande, Naio, and Muka
report to the Wagani Court house every Monday, prosecute their Supreme Court
appeal diligently, remain in their specified locations stated on the bail
certificate, attend church service on a weekly basis, not approach or interfere
with State witnesses, not consume alcohol and drugs, and be of good behaviour
at all times.
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