Police in Lae have arrested lawyer Nathan Kilali in Lae for allegedly attempting to obstruct police executing a National Court warrant against Buimo Prison escapee Lawrence Simon.
Lawrence Simon was originally charged with the willful murder of a Unitech student in 2016.
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While remanded at Buimo Correctional Institution, he escaped custody in 2017 and remained on the run until this year, when he was located in Port Moresby.
On October 2, 2026, a Bench Warrant issued by the National Court was executed, and Simon was remanded at Bomana Correctional Institution before being escorted back to Lae and detained at Buimo Correctional Institution.
Police investigations established that Mr. Kilali allegedly sought to obstruct the lawful execution of the Bench Warrant by attempting to prevent police from carrying out the court’s directive and questioning the authority of orders issued by Justice Miviri.
Deputy Commissioner of Police – Special Operations, Donald Yamasombi, said officers of the State and the courts must assist in executing court orders rather than frustrate or hinder the process.
“In this case, it is my conviction that the lawyer tried to question the Orders of the Lae National Court for the arrest of his client. Trying to stop the Police in executing the Warrant of Arrest is an abuse,” Mr. Yamasombi said in a statement yesterday.
“The lawyer should appear before the Judge to present his case. I issued directions for his arrest because I saw he was trying to frustrate the Court process.”
Mr. Kilali was formally charged under CB#368/26 and appeared before the Lae Committal Court, where the charges were read and understood. His bail application was adjourned to November 20, 2026, with the court directing that a proper application be filed.
The Constabulary reiterated that it would not tolerate attempts to undermine judicial authority or obstruct the enforcement of lawful orders, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the integrity of the justice system.