Chuave MP’s case transferred to Kundiawa

​The Waigani Committal Court has ordered the transfer of a case against the Member for Chuave, Wera Mori to the Kundiawa district court today.

Mori’s case briefly came for mention before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli, who ordered for the matter to be transferred to Kundiawa because that is where the alleged offense occurred.

The 55-year-old member from Tokoma village, Chuave, Chimbu Province, was arrested on January 31 and later released on K1000 bail.

He was charged with eight different counts; seven under the Criminal Code act and one under the Police Force act.

Under the Criminal Code Act, Mori was charged with two counts of Official Corruption, one count each of Armed Robbery, Obstruction of Police duties, Deprivation of Liberty, Perverting  the Course of Justice, Break and enter and Stealing.

He was also charged with one count of Causing Disaffection within the Force under Section 136(1)(a) of the Police Act 1998.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 29th June & 03 August 2015.

His arrest stems from allegations that he tried to prevent the joint Police –Ombudsman Commission team that was carrying out investigations, from entering the district treasury office to obtain documents on June 29, 2015.

His charges will be read and explained to him when he appears in court at Kundiawa. 

According to the Internal Affairs brief, it is alleged Mori instructed the Chuave District Administrator Michael Aglua, sidelined Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Albert Beli and detective Senior Constable, Timothy Simbia,   to prevent the joint Police –Ombudsman Commission team from entering the district treasury office in 2015. 

The Police-Ombudsman Commission team was in Chuave to investigate a National Fraud and Anti- Corruption officer, First Constable David Tololo, who was allegedly involved in an unsanctioned investigation on former Chuave MP Jim Nomane in 2013.

Tololo was said to be on leave and did not obtain approval from his director Chief Superintendent Mathew Damaru to investigate Nomane.

Tololo was allegedly paid from public funds from the district treasury office to conduct the unsanctioned investigation on Mori’s request.

The combined investigation team then returned to Port Moresby and took out a warrant of arrest to arrest and charge Mori for preventing them from obtaining the documents.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton