By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The National Court has granted K1,000 bail for a suspended police officer who was charged for attempted murder.
Acting Judge Salee Koeget ruled in favour of the applicant, Tony Kande, on the grounds that Kande’s life was under threat from other inmates in the Bomana Jail.
On January 8 this year, Kande was charged by the Committal Courts for three counts of attempted murder, threatening, and perverting the course of justice.
On the allegations presented by the complainant’s lawyer, Kande was among a group of men whose identities are unknown to this date, travelling in an unmarked vehicle, with high-powered rifles and pistols.
From the summary of facts, Kande punched a Sergeant in the face and threatened him.
A firearm was also discharged into a family home.
Despite the incident, it was not reported to any police station immediately.
Judge Koeget ruled that allegations presented were plain.
He said there was a lengthy delay in lodging the complaint, even though Kande and the complainant live together in the same barracks.
The bail application was granted under 11 conditions; the strongest being that the alleged offence was committed in October 2014, and the arrest was made in December 2015, approximately 14 months and 16 days later.
