Asian committed to stand trial over conspiracy allegations

A man has been committed by the Waigani District Court to stand trial over allegations he conspired with others to steal over K65,000.

Magistrate Mekeo Gauli yesterday ordered the committal of Sahundi Sanato to the National Court for trial after he found there was sufficient evidence against him.

Sanato, of Asian origin, was arrested and charged with stealing and conspiring with two others to defraud a man, known as Paiye Bale.

It is alleged that Sanato, between Feb and March 2014 at Waigani, conspired with Jason Koama and Beven Abi to withdraw K65,500 from a Westpac Bank account using a cheque. The account belonged to Paiye Bale.

Bale was the general manager of a construction company. He gave his company’s account number to Sanato in March 2014 without properly verifying if Sanato had a genuine business deal.

A cheque leaf was said to be stolen by Sanato from Bale’s cheque book, who then forged Bale’s signature.

Sanato later allegedly conspired with Koama to have the cheque cashed at the bank.

Koama was also arrested and charged of his part in the offense, however his case was dismissed at the District Court due to insufficient evidence.

Sanato will appear next at the Waigani National Court for listing on Nov 21.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton