Ati Wobiro

The National Court granted bail for the three after they showed exceptional circumstances. Bail was allowed after conviction pending the sentencing of the three.

Justice Panuel Mogish this afternoon allowed bail after medical reports produced before the court came from reputable medical practitioners and specialists.

He also allowed bail after considering the affidavit of Bomana Jail Commander, Superintendent, Haraha  Keko, that the CIS facility at Bomana was very basic and unable to accommodate, treat and monitor patients with heart conditions.

Loop PNG confirmed with the trio’s lawyer, Justin Wohuinangu that they are still working on getting two affidavits or statements signed. The affidavits will be filed with the bail application.

They are also expecting a southern counsel or a brief out of the case to an expatriate lawyer to move the application before the National Court.

That bail application is expected to come before the National court next week Monday. They are seeking bail before sentencing and after conviction.

The media personnel from the Post-Courier, The National and Loop PNG were at the National and Supreme Court precinct in Port Moresby on Wednesday, covering attempts by lawyers representing the Governor and his co-accused to apply for bail, when a group of people set on them.

The incident occurred as the governor and his co-accused were being driven back to the Bomana Correctional Service facility outside Port Moresby.

 Governor Wobiro, Provincial Administrator Dr Modowa Gumoi and founder of Fly Care Foundation Inc. Norman Carl May were all taken back to Bomana around 4:30 this afternoon after the awaited bail application did not take place.

Family members, relatives and supporters of the three walked out of the court prescient disappointed at the turn out of the day.

Media personnel waiting outside later became the target as the three were driven out in the Correctional Service truck.

Lawyers representing Governor Wobiro and his co-accused, Western Provincial Administrator, Dr Modowa Gumoi and the Chief of Fly Care Foundation Inc. Norman Carl May returned before the Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika today.

The matter returned for mention after the trial for the fraud and corruption-related allegations against Wobiro was vacated or deferred to another date early this month.

Governor Wobiro and his co-accused appeared before the Waigani National Court today where a trial date was finalised for March 7.

The trial will be held at the Daru National Court, Western Province where most of the witnesses are located.

Prosecution team indicated they are ready for the trial that includes allegations of misappropriation, conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.

Governor Wobiro, Dr Gumoi and Normal May all remain on an extended court bail until then.