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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem
Read more