Former Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris is expected to return before the Waigani Committal Court today.
His case was listed for ruling on Tuesday morning before Magistrate John Kaumi however, it was adjourned to Thursday.
This comes after the 53-year-old from Suapri village, Maprik District in the East Sepik Province, was arrested in Port Moresby on Sept 13, 2016, and charged with four charges under the Criminal Code.
He was charged with two counts of 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 properties valued at K3, 519,998.
The properties belong to the Maprik District and the state, which he allegedly misappropriated to 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, 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 Dreikikir District where a 3rd party agreement was signed for on an oil palm project.
Complaints were laid at the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate in 2014 that saw an investigation conducted, which led to Kapris’ arrest in September last year.
(Pictured is former Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris and his lawyer outside court on Tuesday. Loop picture by Kennedy Bani)