Murderer escapes Port Moresby court

8:51 pm on 10 September 2020

Another prisoner has escaped from the National Court in Papua New Guinea's Port Moresby, reportedly while his guards were busy.

The Supreme Court in Papua New Guinea.

The Supreme Court in Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI/Johnny Blades

The Post Courier reported Mea Udu had just been found guilty of murder.

He was convicted on Tuesday of the 2018 killing of his girlfriend, Halona Karahan, shortly before his brazen escape.

Witnesses said Udu retrieved his phone from a prison vehicle after his conviction before returning to the courthouse while making a call.

He then walked swiftly out of the main entrance while guards thought he was in the bathroom.

The Commissioner of the Correctional Service, Stephen Pokanis, said Udu had been escorted from the court by warders who were probably busy when the prisoner escaped.

Last week, another prisoner escaped his guards outside the courthouse when he brandished a sharpened fork and ran to a waiting vehicle.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs