An application at the Waigani District Court sought by Gulf Governor Havila Kavo to have a magistrate disqualify himself from dealing with his case has been adjourned to early February.
The matter returned to court today however it was adjourned to the first week of February on request of Kavo’s lawyer.
The request through a letter was made to the court by Kavo’s lawyer seeking an adjournment for a month while the lawyer works on obtaining his 2016 Legal Practicing Certificate from the PNG Law Society.
All lawyers must obtain the practicing certificates for the year before they can appear in court.
Kavo on December 22 made an indication in court through his lawyer to have Magistrate Cosmas Bidar disqualify himself from further dealing with his misappropriation case.
Kavo is seeking Bidar to remove himself after he found sufficient evidence against two of Kavo’s co-accused, who have since been committed to the National Court.
He was told to file a written application through a notice of motion before the court. That application has been filed however Kavo’s lawyer could not proceed with the application today without his 2016 practicing certificate.
Kavo was arrested on June 17, 2015 on misappropriation charges and released two days later on a K5,000 bail.
The charge against Kavo alleges that he dishonestly applied to his use K783, 195.70, monies belonging to the State, between January 15 and 27, 2015.
It is alleged that in that period last year, Kavo being the chairman of the Gulf Economic Development Authority and Gulf governor, authorized the withdrawal of 21 BSP cheques.
The authority was set up as a trust company and was established by the Gulf Provincial Government to manage and invest funds for the people of the province.
It is alleged these 21 cheques totalling K783, 195.70 were withdrawn on instructions from Governor Kavo within the month of January.
All these withdrawals were allegedly done without the knowledge and authorization of the assembly members and Provincial Executive Council members of the Gulf Provincial Government.
(Loop PNG file picture of Kavo walking out of the committal court room in June this year after being released on bail)