The suspended Lands Secretary Romilly Kila-Pat and two of his senior officers appeared at the Waigani District Court today following their arrest by police on November 9 and 10 respectively.
Romily Kila-Pat of Rigo, Central Province, Vavine Walo of Abau in the Central Province and Simeon Andrew of Rigo also in the Central Province made their first appearance before Magistrate John Kaumi.
All appeared on one count of conspiracy and one count of misappropriation each. Walo is the manager of Finance and Budget and Andrew is the corporate director.
They appeared on allegations that the three on October 14 this year conspired within the Lands Department to apply to their own use the sum of K208, 569.70.
They are also alleged to have applied the money to their own use thus were charged for misappropriation money that belonged to the Land Reform Trust Account.
All the defendants are on a K2, 000 bail. They will be expected back in court on December 2.
The matter is a fresh issue and police will continue their investigation into the allegations.