Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, has been bailed for K3,000 on the condition that he will appear in court if his lawyers file a quick application for approval.
Justice Teresa Berrigan, at the Waigani National Court House in today’s ruling, said investigation is ongoing and police are yet to compile his file.
However, she says Gamato’s case of fraud and corruption related offences, heard under crimes court, will remain, hence he will be subjected to court hearing.
The commissioner was charged and arrested for official corruption after police got a warrant of arrest on Thursday December 5th.
He was charged for one count of official corruption, one count of money laundering of more than K194,000, both under Terrorist Financial amended act, and one count of conspiracy under section 515 of the PNG criminal code act.
Gamato will leave work on 16th December to 10th of January 2020 as per the condition. However, his hearing has been set for January 24th.
(Article by Jim John – third year UPNG Journalism student; File picture of Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato)