Former MP to appear in court this week

Former Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris is expected to appear at the Waigani Committal Court for mention this week following his arrest on Sept 13 by Detectives from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate.

The 53-year-old from Suapri village, Maprik District in the East Sepik Province was arrested and charged with two counts of the misappropriation of properties, two counts of Abuse of office, one count of stealing by false pretense and one count of conspiracy to defraud.

Kapris was arrested and charged for misappropriating state peroperties valued at K3, 519,998.

The properties belong to the Maprik District and the state which he allegedly misappropriated for his use and the use of others.

The misappropriation allegation dates back to when Kapris served as the member elect for the Maprik District, prior to losing his seat in the 2012 General Elections.

It is alleged that during his tenure as the Maprik MP that he purchased six brand new machines from Hastings Deerings in Port Moresby valued at K3, 519,998.

The machines were taken to the District to be used for road projects.  A Company allegedly owned by Kapris brother-in-law was then engaged to work on the project.

The company was allegedly paid K400,000 by the District for the road works however the machines were later moved to the Drekikier District where a 3rd party agreement was signed for on an Oil Palm project.

An investigation was later conducted from 2014 after a complaint was laid at the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate.

(Picture source: Radionz)              

 

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton