A Simbu man who was earlier facing murder and stealing charges in court has been rearrested and his case brought back before the court.
His case was struck out earlier because police did not compile a hand up brief within three months.
Thirty-eight-year-old Gideon Timothy Aina was charged and arrested for a count each of wilful murder, armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police allege that Aina was in the company of six others on 20th March 2016, at Bismillah Supermarket carpark, when he shot a John Morola at close range using a pistol before dragging him out of his vehicle and driving away with three others towards Gerehu Stage Five and Six.
Police units pursued the defendants who abandoned the vehicle and went into hiding.
Morola was taken to the Port Moresby General Hospital but died several days later, after being on life support.
Following his arrest on 29th April 2016, Aina escaped from CS custody while receiving treatment at the Port Moresby General Hospital. He went into hiding and further escaped to his home province where he was found and re-arrested on 19th October, 2018.
He was brought before the Committal Court but his case was struck out because the hand-up brief was not completed in time.
On the 29th of June this year, the defendant was in the company of six other known criminals, intending to commit crime.
They were in three different vehicles when CID Motor Squad happened upon them and found a revolver in their possession.
Aina appeared at the Waigani District Court for mention yesterday. His case has been adjourned to next Thursday, 5th December.
(Article by Jasmine Iru – third year UPNG Journalism student)