Trial date yet to be set for trio in Library contracts fraud

A trial date is expected to be set next week for three accused persons facing misappropriation charges in relation to awarding of work contracts at the National Library and Archives.

Former director of the National Library and Archives Jacob Hevelawa, his wife Miriam Hevelawa, and the former corporate service manager of the National Library and Archives, Timothy Numara, all appeared before the Waigani National Court.

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika reviewed and conducted their District Court bail conditions to the National Court.

Numara is on bail of K6,000 while the Hevelawa are on bail of K2,000 each.

They were ordered to report to the National Court Crimes registry every second Friday of the month.

They were also ordered not to reoffend while out on bail, interfere with state witnesses and leave NCD without the leave of the court.

Pre-Trial Review Statements are expected to be filed next week when they return to court for mention. A trial date is also expected to be set by then.

 They were arrested and charged in January 2016 with one count each of abuse of office, dishonestly applying K118,846.30 and conspiracy to defraud the state of the said amount.

It is alleged Numara and Hevelawa, corruptly awarded a contract for grass cutting, landscaping and rubbish removal to Paja Sisters Limited, a company owned by Miriam Hevelawa.

The project was allegedly paid in three lots of payment totalling K118,846.30, an amount not justified by the actual work done.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton