Martin, four, parents, guardians left in Bomana Prison, forgotten for more than two years

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Martin, four, parents, guardians left in Bomana Prison, forgotten for more than two years

PORT MORESBY: It sure looks like four-year-old Martin, his parents and guardians were left in Bomana Prison and forgotten to rot for more than two years.

 The Boroko police prosecution team were not aware of Martin’s case because they did not have any files transferred to them from the district court in Kerema.

Officer-in-charge of prosecutions Chief Insp Boas Binuali said there were processes involved in such cases.

“My prosecution team did not have any records of the case being transferred because if the accused was already committed to stand trial by the district court, then it was no longer the police prosecutors’ case,” he added.

So, who is to blame for leaving Martin in prison with his mother and others for more than two years without any move to secure bail?

The human rights news bombshell was published by The National:

Youngster’s plight an oversight: Police

January 16, 2023The NationalMain Stories

THE police prosecution team at the Boroko Police Station were not aware of the case of four-year-old Martin since they did not have any files transferred to them from the Kerema District Court.
Officer in charge of Prosecutions Chief Insp Boas Binuali said there were processes involved in such cases.
“My prosecution team in Boroko did not have any records of the case being transferred because if the accused was already committed to stand trial by the Kerema District Court than it was no longer the police prosecutors case,” he said.
Since 2020, Martin from Ero village in Gulf had been living with his mother Saitava Steven in Bomana prison after his mother was charged with sorcery-related violence (SARV) and accusation following the death of a woman in her village.
Binuali said his team were not sure of the status of the case, whether it was a case for the district court or the national court.
“I am saddened to hear about the unfortunate situation of four-year-old Martin staying in prison for two years due to delayed justice,” he said.
“If the mother was to be remanded, it is the responsibility of the correctional service officers not to allow little Martin to stay with his mother.”
He added that the prosecution team at Boroko Police Station would work to fast track the case by following up the police file.
“We are not aware of the charges that were laid against them and that needs to be verified by the prosecution team and the district court in Kerema,” he said.
Binuali added that such cases involving children in custody with their mothers needed to be given priority for court hearings as it was a breach of their rights for children to be remanded in custody.
“Innocent children are not allowed to be remanded in custody with their mothers.
“They have the right and freedom to be loved by a family in a community and go to school,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saitava said Martin was two when the police arrested them and she decided to take him with her as there were no relatives in Port Moresby to look after him.
Saitava appealed to Kikori MP Soroi Eoe to look into their plight and help them since they had been awaiting court proceedings for more than two years.
Office of the Public Solicitor lawyer David Kayok has assisted Martin and his mother, father, aunt and grandfather and they are all out on bail through a special reference before Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.