Western Governor Wobiro’s trial date set

A trial date has been set for fraud and corruption- related allegations against Western Governor Wobiro, his Provincial Administrator, Dr Modowa Gumoi and the Chief of Fly Care Foundation Inc. Normal May.

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.

 All three accused are facing identical charges of misappropriating funds totalling K7.9 million, charges that arose from counts of abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and misappropriation of public funds.

It is alleged the three conspired to establish the Fly Care Foundation between November 10 and December 15, 2013 by using K7.9 million funding from the provincial government.

It is alleged there was a memorandum of agreement between Governor Wobiro and May for the Foundation to deliver projects in the province.

Committal Court Magistrate Cosmos Bidar in committing them to stand trial said this project was not tendered according to the Public Finance Management Act where every project amount above K5 million must be tendered.

He said the agreement had no tendering documents and no details of the agreement.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton