Former state minister held for alleged kidnapping

FORMER state minister and third term member for Kumine in Chimbu Province, was charged with counts of charges relating to alleged kidnapping.Nick Kuman was arrested and charged by the Police at the Boroko Police Station two weeks ago on September 12, and is facing one count each of the charges of deprivation of liberty and conspiracy to deprivation of liberty.He appeared in Waigani district court on Thursday for mention.Magistrate Paul Puri Nii read out the charges against Kuman during his first appearance at the Waigani district court and gave the police prosecutor one month to prepare all police files, evidences including completing investigations before the matter returns next month on October 27,2022. The district court has also extended his K1,000 Police bail on conditions that he must to not travel out of National Capital District and not to interfere with the state witnesses. Police alleged that between August 1 and August 28,2022 the defendant and his associates allegedly kidnaped the complainant, Peter Samuel Nulai and others from Gumine and brought them down to Port Moresby and kept them in captivity. According to police report, the complainant and six others were kept in captivity at section 41 allotment 3 in Chester Street, Ela Makana in Downtown Port Moresby, a property allegedly belonging to Kuman.The matter came to police attention when Nulai escaped and reported the matter to Gordons Police Station.A search warrant was raised and police did a search at the said property and found about six people being locked up. After been questioned at the Gordons Police Station, Kuman was brought to Boroko Police Station where he was formerly arrested and charged.Meanwhile, the National Capital District (NCD), Metsup, Gideon Ikumu also confirmed the arrest and charge of the former MP.