Four-year-old Martin ‘freed’ from Bomana Prison

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Four-year-old Martin ‘freed’ from Bomana Prison

PORT MORESBY: Four-year-old Martin, who spent more than two years in Bomana Prison, was “freed” on Friday after his parents and guardians were released on K200 bail each by the National Court.

Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika granted bailk to Martin’s mother Saitava Steven, his father Akeikei bTopiro, grandfather Topiro Nanai, aunty Negevia Topiro and uncle Tobue Topiro, from Kikori’s Ero in Gulf, after their lawyer, David Kayok, from the Public Solicitor’s Office, submitted their bail application in Waigani.

Amon reasons for the bail was that they had been in custody for two years without any progress of their case to trial.

The court proceedings were reported by The National:

 

Boy, 4, ‘freed’ from prison

January 9, 2023The NationalMain Stories

Four-year-old Martin, his parents and guardians after the National Court granted them bail. – Nationalpic by CLARISSA MOI

By CLARISSA MOI
FOUR-YEAR-OLD Martin, who spent more than two years in Bomana Prison, was “freed” on Friday after his parents and guardians were released on K200 bail each by the National Court.
Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika granted bail to Martin’s mother Saitava Steven, his father Akeikei Topiro, grandfather Topiro Nanai, aunty Negevia Topiro and uncle Tobue Topiro, from Kikori’s Ero in Gulf, after their lawyer, David Kayok, from the Public Solicitor’s Office, submitted their bail application in Waigani.
Among reasons for bail was that they had been in custody for two years without any progress of their case to trial.
Also, for Martin’s parents, Martin had reached the age where he would need his parents.
The State, in considering the ages of juveniles involved in this case, did not object.
Sir Gibbs then told the lawyers to provide the terms and conditions and the court would grant bail.
At 4.07pm, the court resumed and Sir Gibbs granted bail to Martin’s parents and guardians with conditions attached, which included for them not to leave Gulf without the court’s permission and to appear during the first court sitting in Kerema next month.
They were arrested by the Kerema Police in June 2020, for sorcery-related violence (SRV) after the death of a woman in their village. For the last two years, they have not attended any court hearing until November, during a Kerema court circuit.
The matter was then adjourned to this year after witnesses in their case failed to attend court.
Martin and his family’s case was brought to the court’s attention following a media publication on Jan 3 (by The National).
Sir Gibbs on Thursday adjourn the matter to Friday for bail to be heard.
An emotional mother, Steven, told The National outside court that it was a relief to be released on bail by the National Court.
“I have been in custody for two years. I have five children who are in the village. My youngest child, Martin, has been with me in prison.”
Sir Gibbs also noted that Martin’s parents and guardians’ relevant charges could be read to them at an appropriate time.

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