50-year sentence welcomed as PNG police move against tribal retaliation

Papua New Guinea's  Enga Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Steven Harris

Papua New Guinea's  Enga Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Steven Harris has welcomed a combined 50-year prison term imposed on a 22-year-old man convicted over two killings arising from a cycle of tribal retaliation in Laiagam District, PNG.

The sentence against Sebari Jimmy, also known as Sebari Kanjol Lylip, was handed down by Justice Graham Ellis in the National Court at Wabag last Friday after two separate matters were dealt with consecutively.

Jimmy was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for the wilful murder of Jeremiah Peno, who was shot at close range in the back with a Magnum pistol at Lasambus village on September 30, 2024.

He was convicted following a three-day trial.

In a second case, Jimmy pleaded guilty to the murder of Tommy Kelata at Wairos/Aiyak village on December 29, 2024.

The court heard that Jimmy’s brother struck Kelata on the head with a bush knife, while Jimmy inflicted another wound to the victim’s shoulder.

For that offence, Jimmy received another 15-year sentence with hard labour. The term was ordered to run cumulatively with the sentence for wilful murder, bringing his total imprisonment to 50 years.

Harris said the punishment should serve as a warning to people who resort to violence to settle tribal disputes and personal grievances.

“These sentences send an unambiguous message to Enga Province and to Papua New Guinea as a whole that the Rule of Law will prevail.

“If you retaliate, if you take another person’s life to settle a score, a payback, or a tribal grievance, you can expect to spend between 35 and 50 years behind bars. That is the reality this offender now faces, and it is the reality that awaits anyone who chooses violence over the law,” PPC Harris said.

He said police would continue to pursue those involved in retaliatory attacks and would not allow tribal disputes to determine how conflicts were dealt with in the province.

Harris also praised investigators from the Wabag Criminal Investigation Division for their work in linking Jimmy to both killings.

The investigation began after Jimmy was arrested in connection with an unrelated matter. Further interviews and evidence gathering subsequently established his involvement in the two killings committed several months apart.

“This outcome reflects sustained, patient investigative work by Wabag CID. They followed the evidence, built two strong briefs, and delivered outcomes that will keep a dangerous offender off our streets for decades. That is the standard of policing this Province deserves, and it is the standard Wabag CID has delivered,” Harris said.

Police have also received reports of further retaliatory activity associated with the cases.

Harris said those reports would be investigated and warned that anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands would face the justice system.

He urged anyone with information about threats or acts of retribution linked to the killings to contact Wabag Police or the Enga Provincial Police Command.

Harris also called for tougher consideration of cases involving illegal firearms, particularly where weapons were deliberately used to kill.

“There is a need, particularly in this time and in this place, for the Court to make it clear that those who obtain an illegal weapon, such as a pistol or gun, and use that weapon will need to provide the Court with a good reason why a sentence of life imprisonment should not be imposed.

“This was a pre-meditated, cold-blooded murder when an unsuspecting man was shot in the back with a powerful pistol,” PPC Harris said.